Sub-Topic: The Philippine Church as a Church of the Poor – Nov. 24-30
Introduction
What does the Church for the poor actually mean?
Church of Poverty
The Church is the “Sacrament of Christ” and the “projection of Christ in time and space.” To be faithful to her mission the Church must mirror her Founder in all things. As Christ, then, the Church too must be marked by the double sign of poverty and service of the poor. In the temptation of Jesus in the dessert, the devil said to Christ, “Command the stone to become bread”. And Jesus answered: “Man shall not live by bread alone.” In rejecting this, Christ rejected the notion of a materialist Church, a Church of eating and drinking, of wealth and riches. His Church was to be primarily one of poverty. (Schwartz, 1970)
The Church in the Plan of God
The word Church refers to the people whom God calls and gathers together from every part of the earth. They form the assembly of those who through faith and Baptism have become children of God, members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit. (Compendium of the Catholic Church 751-752)
Who are the poor?
People who experience any of the various hardships resulting from the lack of life’s necessities. In the material sense, the Church reaches out in compassion to help the poor. (Catholic Encyclopedia p.761)
Word of God
“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven and come and follow me.” (Mt 19:21)
Values
Humility Simplicity Poverty Generosity
Doctrine
The Church’s love for the poor is a part of her constant tradition. This love is inspired by the gospel of beatitudes, the poverty of Jesus, and of His concern for the poor. (CCC, 2444) The Church has made an option for the poor which is understood as a “special from of primacy in the exercise of Christian charity, to which the whole tradition of the Church bears witness.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 163)
Moral
The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbour for his spiritual and bodily necessities.
7 Corporal Works of Mercy
- Feed the hungry
- Give drink to the thirsty
- Clothe the naked
- Shelter the homeless
- Visit the sick
- Visit the imprisoned
- Burying the dead
St. John Chrysost said, “Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.” (CCC, 2446-2447)
Worship
“Prayer of intercession has particular value, for it is an act of trust in God and, at the same time, an expression of love for our neighbour. (GE, 154)
Faith Response
Affirmation: Embrace the poor with compassion.
Commitment: What is the Mission of the Church?
To proclaim and establish the Kingdom of God begun by Jesus Christ among all peoples. The Church constitutes on earth the seed and beginning of the salvific Kingdom. (Compendium of the Catholic Church)
Celebration: Almighty ever-living God, giver of all good gifts bless the Church that she may recognize poverty in the lives of your people. Open our hands that we may learn to be one with the poor by providing their needs. Amen.
Sources:
Poverty: sign of our times, Aloysius Schwartz, U.S.A. Pauline Fathers and Brothers, 1970.
Compendium of the Catholic Church , Libreria Edittrice Vaticana 00120 Citta del Vaticano, 2005.
Gaudete Et Exsultate, Pope Francis, Word and Life Publicatons, Manila, 2018
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Libreria Edittrice Vaticana U.S.A., 1997.
