Pope Leo has written his first letter to Christians around the world. He is writing to make us aware of our Christian obligation to poor people. When we meet the poor and listen to them, we are meeting and listening to Christ. If Christ loves us, then we are called to love the poor. This is not just a nice thing to do. It is essential in being Christian. “When you do it to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do it to me.” In the poor we meet the vulnerable and the needy.
This is the stance we all must take in our relationship to God. It is only with God’s grace that I am able live the full Christian life. It is in relating to the poor that we realize this. It requires changing our priorities in living a comfortable life to reaching out to people who lack the necessities of life. This might mean going against what the world considers to be a successful life. It is in living this kind of life that we are able to attract others to live like Christ who desires the salvation of all peoples. We are called to live a simple life of sacrificial love. The result will bring us happiness and joy.
Pope Leo backs up his words with quotes from Scripture and the witness of many saints through the ages.
- What keeps you from reaching out to the poor?
- Do you see this as part of your calling?
- What do the poor teach you about your relationship with God?
- O God, show me the way to make the poor a part of my Christian vocation.