GIVE ALMS TO THE POOR

Jesus reminded us that, unfortunately, there would always be the poor among us. Perhaps he understood that heaven on earth, when all tears will be wiped away, when all would live in peace and security, where there would be no one sick or imprisoned or naked or thirsty or in need of any kind – perhaps Jesus understood that such a time and such a place would not ever be in this life. Perhaps.

But that did not mean that his followers should simply shrug their shoulders with a que sera, sera, what will be will be attitude. He expected and demanded and still expects and demands that we do something about all those physical, corporeal needs that we see in people all around us even as we try to ignore them as best we can. Or at least we wish we could ignore them, so many are they that it is overwhelming to know just where to begin.

Indeed, those needs are overwhelming, which, I think is Jesus’ point. They had become overwhelming even in Jesus’ day. So what did Jesus do? He did the best that he could to relieve the needs of those who came in contact with him. Did he alleviate poverty, ensure that the world over had potable water to drink, enable everyone to have enough to eat every day? Of course not. He could not. No one can.

But he did his part and that is all we are asked to do: do our part; do what we can; do something. Granted, nothing we will do individually or even collectively as church or congregation will bring about the elimination of poverty, hunger, disease and all that follows from the results of these tragedies, for that is what they are. It is truly tragic that millions of people the world over go to bed hungry every night. It is obscene that eight people have more wealth than half the world. But even all that wealth, much of it promised to charity, will not solve the problem.

Nevertheless, the question that remains on a very personal level is: “What am I doing to help those who need help?” Am I doing as much as I can or as little as I can or not doing anything? We know that every little bit helps, but am I doing even a little bit? Am I even aware that I have a responsibility as a Christian to do something or am I giving myself an out because the problem is so overwhelming?

Lots of questions that deserve serious reflection, serious reflection. The truth is that we all probably do something, yet the question remains: do we, do I, do enough? And how much is enough? No one can answer those questions for us. Jesus would not answer those questions for us. He could only answer those questions for himself and that is all he asks us to do.

We need to ask them on a regular basis simply because it is too easy to become inured to the needs out there. Perhaps now is as good a time as any to ask those questions and then decide what comes next.