YEAR OF THE POOR There is uneasiness in this label for it implies class system based on economic categories. Considering that even the middle class today and those in the higher rung feel the economic pinch, the category, and the casting of the poor in our Churchs theme for the year could be clear only in the sense in which the term is used in the Scriptures. The regular reports on self-rated poverty, the percentage of those who felt hungry within a period of time, and the perennial unemployment woes dampens our enthusiasm for that much bruited about economic surge from the macro-level. But its well to point out that this theme is not a social, or economic banner but its grounded on the teaching that the poor are those who depend on God, and whom God favors--the sense of the Beatitudes. The Church bears a social message, calling to mind the Saviors words: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good tidings to the poor...and since our Philippine Church is preparing for its own Great Jubilee, the Old Testament practice as detailed in Leviticus which in sum is a proclamation and celebration of liberty, and Gods ownership even of the land, and His Providence that no one should be chained to slavery and poverty(Lev.25) In this year of the poor then, the Church appears to exhort us to go beyond symbolic actions that do not probe the root of poverty and deprivation. While She cannot replace civil society and governments which should be in the forefront in the so-called war on poverty(declared by the U>S President Lyndon Johnson) her social message of: the dignity of the person, the principle of subsidiarity, the common good, and the destination of goods,those teachings on society proposed in the social encyclicals are contributions to the world communitys effort to make our earthly home fit for peoples whose main drive is for well-being, a measure of peace, and decent life where needs are met. We realize that in the local level, translating ideals to concrete programs of actions are met with constraints that cannot be addressed immediately. Social Action is the weakest link in our pastoral endeavors, and thats not only because of the Church leaders but perhaps our faithful is still anchored on a mind-set which deems our faith confined to the walls of the Parish Church. Its hard enough to keep up for example with the demands of Liturgy, and to maintain the sacramental life of the parish. Perhaps it is cold comfort,given the daunting task. those direct words of Pope Francis do something.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 01:16:39 +0000
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