The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.
Leaders and public servants are among those we expect not to show favoritism. Yet favoritism happens, and bias is a reality in human experience. But what about God? Surely, there is no favoritism in divine justice? In today’s first reading, the prophet Sirach states that although the Lord does not show “unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.” It is in this distinct sensitivity of God that is the foundation for the catholic social teaching known as a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable.
Having a preference for the vulnerable has been a consistent teaching of the Popes of our time. Pope Saint John Paul II declared this principal as “not limited to material poverty but encompasses cultural and spiritual poverty as well.” [Centesimus annus 57] Pope Benedict XVI further emphasized that “love for widows and orphans, prisoners, and the sick and needy of every kind is as essential as the ministry of the sacraments and preaching of the Gospel.” [Deus Caritas Est 22] In his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis notes, “Without the preferential option for the poor, ‘the proclamation of the Gospel … risks being misunderstood or submerged’.”[7]
Last week, Pope Leo released his first Apostolic Exhortation entitled Dilexi Te, (I Have Loved You). In this new document, Pope Leo builds upon the teachings of his predecessors and the call to love the poor. He speaks specifically about what it means to prefer the poor.
This “preference” never indicates exclusivity or discrimination toward other groups, which would be impossible for God. It is meant to emphasize God’s actions, which are moved by compassion toward the poverty and weakness of all humanity…God has a special place in his heart for those who are discriminated against and oppressed, and he asks us, his Church, to make a decisive and radical choice in favor of the weakest. [14]
This preferential option for the poor and vulnerable is the founding principle of what it means to RESPECT LIFE because it includes all who are marginalized in society, including unborn children, people with disabilities, the elderly and terminally ill, and victims of injustice and oppression.
As a global and universal church, we are particularly mindful of our global responsibility in meeting the needs of the poor and vulnerable of those beyond our national borders. Preaching the “Good News” of Respect Life requires action on our part. And those actions include but are not limited to the way in which we show a particular preference and care for the poor and vulnerable. As disciples of the Lord, we cannot neglect the absolute obligation we have to the marginalized; born and unborn, inside and outside our borders. As we continue to mark this Respect Life Month, let us pray that our discernment, our choices, our words and our actions are reflective of the mindset of the Lord who “hears the cry of the poor” and loves them.
A SPIRIT OF HOSPITALITY AND WELCOME – This week we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with over 270 of our young parishioners. It also meant we welcomed as many as 1,500 guests at the three liturgies. I am very thankful to all the staff and volunteers that helped us to provide a hospitable and welcoming environment to Bishop Barres, our families and our guests.
Welcoming hospitality is one of our missions in a large parish community like ours, where 2,000 people or more join us each week at our masses, funerals, weddings, and baptisms. Welcoming the familiar and the stranger is an important Corporal Work of Mercy.
There are three areas of parish ministry that need more people to share in the ministry of hospitality and welcome. They are: Baptism Ministry (welcoming families and assisting in the liturgy), Ministry of Consolation (welcoming families and their guests), and Wedding Rehearsal Coordinator (assisting wedding parties in practicing for the ceremony). If you are interested in serving in these ministries, please reach out to me by phone (516) 798-4992 or email frgerard@srolchurch.org.
Peace,
