If you love God, you love the poor

because God loves the poor

Evangelii NuntiandiOn Evangelization in the Modern World

31. Between evangelization and human advancement -- development and liberation -- there are in fact profound links. These include links of an anthropological order, because the man who is to be evangelized is not an abstract being but is subject to social and economic questions. They also include links in the theological order, since one cannot dissociate the plan of creation from the plan of Redemption. The latter plan touches the very concrete situations of injustice to be combated and of justice to be restored. They include links of the eminently evangelical order, which is that of charity: how in fact can one proclaim the new commandment without promoting in justice and in peace the true, authentic advancement of man? We ourself have taken care to point this out, by recalling that it is impossible to accept "that in evangelization one could or should ignore the importance of the problems so much discussed today, concerning justice, liberation, development and peace in the world. This would be to forget the lesson which comes to us from the Gospel concerning love of our neighbor who is suffering and in need.”

Who are the poor? Who is in need of liberation?

Who are the poor? Who is in need of liberation?

Why do we love the poor?

Why do we love the poor?

Why do we love the poor?

Matthew 25:34-40 ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

How do we love the poor?

How do we love the poor?

How has Jesus shared with us? What would it concretely look like to love the poor in that way? Do we acknowledge this as an essential element of the Gospel?

Dorothy Day

1897-1980

A leftist, feminist, and pacifist journalist/activist who

converted to Catholicism Founder of the Catholic Worker

Movement: newspapers, houses of hospitality, farming communes, protests for justice

and peace Received a Laetare Medal from

Notre Dame, thanking her for "comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.”

visited by Mother Teresa who pinned on Day's dress the cross worn only by fully

professed Missionaries of Charity.

Dorothy Day Assignment:

Side 1: read “Room for Christ” pgs 94-97 and “The Scandal of the Works of Mercy” pgs98-100

Side 2: read “Here and Now” pgs100-102, “Inventory” pgs 104-105, and “Little by Little”” 109-110

Questions to think about: What from Dorothy Day’s perspective is new, interesting,

or surprising to you? How far are we, as Christians, called to give? How do we know where to draw the line between

maintaining ourselves enough to live out our vocation and just simply being self-centered rather that self-giving?