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PDF versionThe poor and the needy
by Joyce Rupp on Dec. 10, 2010
He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.
—1 Samuel 2:8
Mary, source of hope for God’s lowly ones,
may I be bonded in love with those who are in need.
May I also do my part to work for justice
so that the poor will be lifted from the ashes of oppression.
What a joy it was to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Basilica in Mexico City. It is there that the cloak of Juan Diego, with its imprint of Mary, hangs for all to see. Pilgrims, many of them poor peasants, walk for miles to be able to view the cloak and pray beneath it. Their only wealth is their deep faith in God’s abiding presence. Their joy is the bonding they feel with the Mother of God who revealed herself to one of their own.
—1 Samuel 2:8
People pray during a Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. (CNS)I stood among these people on that feast and felt richly blessed by their presence. I felt God’s goodness continuing to be revealed through them. I heard in my heart the words of Hannah’s canticle: God lifts up the poor. I also felt a call to do my part to change the structures and systems that oppress the disenfranchised and impoverished people.
may I be bonded in love with those who are in need.
May I also do my part to work for justice
so that the poor will be lifted from the ashes of oppression.
"The poor and the needy" is from Inviting God In: Scriptural Reflections and Prayers Throughout the Year by Joyce Rupp (Ave Maria Press) 2001.
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"He raises up the poor from
"He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor."
—1 Samuel 2:8
Here is a suggestion to apply this principle to the Catholic School System in the USA:
A "preferential option for the poor" should be maintained in our Catholic
Schools. If we find that we cannot afford to keep our schools open to the
poor, the schools should be closed and the resources used for something else
which can be kept open to the poor. We cannot allow our Church to become a
church primarily for the middle-class and rich while throwing a bone to the
poor. The priority should be given to the poor even if we have to let the
middle-class and rich fend for themselves.
Practically speaking, the Catholic Schools must close and the resources
used for "Confraternity of Christian Doctrine" and other programs which can
be kept open to the poor. Remember, the Church managed without Catholic
Schools for centuries. We can get along without them today. The essential
factor is to cultivate enough Faith to act in the Gospel Tradition, namely,
THE POOR GET PRIORITY. The rich and middle-class are welcome too. But the
poor come first.
And just who will give,
And just who will give, sacrifice, and be motivated to help the poor??????
The poor don't give to the poor.
The middle class and the rich need appropriate spiritual development and theological, scriptural knowledge to feed their faith, as well. Don't speak about abandoning them----they are the ones who will help the poor!!!!!! They are the ones who will teach them to fish rather than just give them the fish.
Many years ago my husband and
Many years ago my husband and I traveled to Mexico so that we would
be at the basilica for Dec. 12th. We attended the midnight mass as well as the "Mass of the Roses" perhaps 10 or 11 a.m. Everything was beautiful. The people came from all over and slept in the area between the wall and the altar.
I will never forget the beauty of that celebration.
I appreciate your
I appreciate your reflections, Joyce.
I have been an admirer of
I have been an admirer of Joyce for many years. Thank you for sharing God's work that comes from your heart.
I have some of Joyce Rupps
I have some of Joyce Rupps books and enjoy them very much. They come in handy when I am leading our Prayer Group. I also enjoy her reflections when they appear in "Living Word".
PEACE
Sylvia Sula
Does it matter that it has
Does it matter that it has recently been confirmed that this isn't authentic?
Do we encourage this illusion to foster devotion?
I don't know what to think of not only this particular revelation, but others that have been recognised for the sake of the faithful.
Then who am I to question the spiritual directors of these good, loyal and simple minded people.
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