The Pope is urging Catholics to turn “empty words” into “concrete deeds” by officially launching a day dedicated to helping the poor.
In a recorded statement released today (13 June), the Argentine Pontiff, who straight after his election called for a “poor Church for the poor”, said he wants to sensitise Catholics to the needs of the marginalised and encourage them to provide practical help.
Denouncing what he defined as “occasional volunteer work”, Francis’ message for the World Day of the Poor, which will take place later this year on 19 November, warns against “impromptu acts of generosity that appease our conscience.” Instead, he wants the day to encourage the faithful to share in the life of the poor.
Citing a passage from the Psalms, Francis said the cry of the poor cannot go unanswered, but is one which the faithful must react to by demonstrating fraternity and solidarity.
The Pope wants helping the poor to become a way of life that “gives rise to joy and peace of soul” and not merely isolated and singular acts of voluntary work.
And it is through the poor, the Pope goes on to say, that the faithful “touch with our own hands the flesh of Christ.” The poor, therefore, are not only the object of our charity, but are for Francis a means to experience the Body of Christ.
To help the poor, Francis said, is “above all a call to follow Jesus in his own poverty”, which is an interior attitude that looks above and beyond money, career and luxury as life goals and as the “condition for our happiness.” This, he says, must be a witness in face of the growing gap between rich and poor.
“Tragically, in our own time, even as ostentatious wealth accumulates in the hands of the privileged few, often in connection with illegal activities and the appalling exploitation of human dignity,” the Pope said. “There is a scandalous growth of poverty in broad sectors of society throughout the world.”
Too many women and children, Francis goes on to say, are “crushed by the machinations of power and money.” He added that he hopes that a day dedicated to the poor will combat what he defines as the “generalised indifference” to the suffering of those at the bottom of wealth and power structures.
Francis then highlighted a tradition in the Church that has “raised up men and women who, in a variety of ways, have devoted their lives to the service of the poor” giving the example of his namesake, St Francis of Assisi.
The Argentinian Pontiff also used his message to widen his call to “everyone, independent of religious affiliation,” to be open to and share with “the poor through concrete sings of solidarity and fraternity”.
He concludes his message by imploring his Bishops, and all priests and deacons to make the World Day of the Poor a new tradition in the Church that will continue to act as a new form of evangelisation.
PICTURE: Pope Francis celebrates a Jubilee mass for poor and homeless people in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican during 2016
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