From The Bishop

We know that God loves everyone; however, the scriptures remind us that God has a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable. We see this in the Gospel for the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time. In the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus states, “Blessed are you who are poor” and “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” Jesus offers those who are suffering in this life hope because their “reward is great in heaven.” Why does Jesus have a ‘preferential option for the poor’? In the First Reading Jeremiah states, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” The less we have the easier it is to trust in God rather than in ourselves. The prophet says, “Cursed is the one who trusts in mere mortals and makes flesh their strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” One of the most basic principles of Catholic social teaching is the preferential option for the poor. It reminds us of the obligation we have to care for those who are poor, vulnerable and marginalized in our society. This is important to remember as we begin our preparations for Lent, which is only a few weeks away.