If you like to use music in prayer, I might suggest this song as a beautiful meditation God’s lavish hospitality. A Place at Your Table by Ben Walther
The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.-1 John 3: 16-18
Questions for reflection:
-What unlikely tables have you been invited to dine at? Who are among the unlikely guests you have invited to dine at your own table?
-What comes to mind when you hear the phrase ‘option for the poor and vulnerable’?
Is it a phrase you’ve heard before? Where?
-St. Oscar Romero poses a challenging question: “You say you love the poor? Name them.” Who are the ‘poor and vulnerable’ within your own community/sphere of influence? What are their names?
Opening prayer
Word made flesh, help me to see your needs in the unmet needs of my neighbors. When my comfort conflicts with the well-being of another, help me always to choose to do right by my neighbor. In doing so, would that your love and mercy be seen as alive in the world. I make this prayer in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
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Overview
As we continue to delve into the heart of Catholic Social Teaching, we stay centered on God’s particular love for humanity even in its frailty, and to the extent of taking on flesh Himself. Remembering that Jesus was born to a poor family, and lived amongst the marginalized, without a home for much of his earthly life, we can ascertain a bit about God’s familiarity and fondness for those without means.
However, Jesus never shames those with means, only invites them to give of themselves–often in a way that might pinch. We think of the encounter with the rich young man:
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?* No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. -Mark 10: 17-22
Often this parable has been used to encourage deeper generosity, which it accomplishes. And, it is important to put our finger on the pulse of what Jesus is doing here (which is so characteristic of who God is): Leaving the decision in the hands of the rich young man. Jesus simply offers a suggestion of what the wealthy man might do to attain eternal life, in addition to his already rigorous religious observances. Yet the man leaves downcast. It is essential to note that we, the audience, never learn the outcome of the young man’s encounter with Jesus, only that the prospect of what lay before him would present a challenge. Maybe he went all in, or maybe not. We will never know.
The same invitation is placed before us today: Observe the Commandments, give what you have to the poor, and follow Him. I suspect that we can also count on being looked at lovingly by the Lord while we hem and haw over the practicalities of going ‘all in,’ and calculating in the end how much that is going to cost us.
“The Church’s love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant tradition.” This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor. . . . “Those who are oppressed by poverty are the object of a preferential love on the part of the Church which, since her origin and in spite of the failings of many of her members, has not ceased to work for their relief, defense, and liberation.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2444, 2448, quoting Centisimus Annus, no. 57, and Libertatis Conscientia, no. 68)
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Questions for Reflection:
- What options do I prioritize for the poor and vulnerable?
- If I were in the position of the rich young man, how would I respond to Jesus’ prompting?
- What opportunities might I have to learn the names of the poor and vulnerable in my sphere of influence, in a mutual and dignified manner?
- How comfortable am I with the thought of the God of the universe coming from very modest means?
- How comfortable am I with the way my own needs are met? Is this an opportunity to ask for what I need/offer more of what I have?
Closing Prayer
Loving God, we are created to emulate your Sacred heart which knows so intimately the needs of every person. Continue to lead us to seek the needs of those around us and to regard the needs of others as highly as our own. Be patient with our stubborn tendencies and look with love upon all of those who seek to do Your will.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*As a side, if you/your parish would be interested in a virtual or in-person retreat to inspire greater generosity, look into the Journey of Generosity program at Generousgiving.org.