From The Bishop

As a new year approaches, those in the accounting world are preparing year-end reports. This work is important because it provides an opportunity to see how a business has performed over the past year. Christians believe that in a similar way, one day we will have to give a “life-end reportâ€� to God. On the day of our death we will stand before God and be asked to give an account of our lives. From a spiritual perspective, we could call it our final exam. The great thing is that Jesus has already given us the exam question so that we can prepare. In the Gospel of St. Matthew (25:31-46), we find the ultimate measure that will determine our eternal destiny. Jesus says, “for I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you took care of me. “I was in prison and you visited me … Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.â€� This passage is incredible for a number of reasons. First, Jesus is associating himself not with the rich and powerful, but with the poor and vulnerable. Whatever we do for these people, or fail to do, it is as if we are doing it to the Lord himself. Second, we know what we will be asked on Judgment Day â€" how did you treat the poor and the vulnerable? Finally, this passage helps to put many issues we are facing as a society into perspective. Poverty, especially child poverty, clean drinking water and the environment, the refugee crisis, life issues and the treatment of prisoners, are significant issues that should not be ignored. We cannot afford to be indifferent, because our salvation is at stake; however, in our efforts to address poverty we cannot forget what the poor can teach us. In his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis reminds us God’s heart has a special place for the poor. “This is why I want a Church which is poor and for the poor. They have so much to teach us. We are called to find Christ in them, to lend our voice to their causes, but also to be friends, to listen to them, to speak for them and to embrace the mysterious wisdom which God wishes to share with us through them.â€� (198). Pope Francis believes our commitment to the poor should be rooted in attentiveness, rather than activism. This attentiveness is expressed more in theological than sociological terms. The “preferential option for the poorâ€� is a theological concept rooted in the saving action of Christ. It expresses the fact that Jesus became poor for us in order to enrich us with his poverty. God shows us how to make the care of the poor and the vulnerable a priority. This is not simply moving goods from those who have to those who have not. That is far too materialistic, and omits the spiritual aspect found in attentiveness and love which is foundational to our understanding of social justice. This should be a guiding principle for our local communities and churches. Let us be attentive to the needs of the poor and share our resources with them. Spiritual accounting principles teach us that when we invest in people in this life, the dividends will last an eternity. The post Be attentive to the needs of the poor appeared first on St. Catharines Standard, Friday, December 16, 2016