The Poor

In our first reading today, we are warned not to rely upon deceitful wealth, and our Gospel speaks protectively of the “little ones” who believe in Christ.

These two themes converge in the Christian attitude towards the poor who are called “blessed” by Jesus, because wealth, satisfactions, and pleasures don’t blind them to their need for God’s kingdom. The poor are “at the end of their rope” or, to quote Karl Marx, “they can lose only their chains.”

In other words, they have no stake in their present status, no reasons for refusing God’s invitation. Since everything else has failed them, it’s easy to see how attractive Jesus’ words must have been. When they accept him, in that very moment, they find themselves important members in the kingdom of heaven (Lk 6: 20-21).

For the Lord takes delight in his people
he crowns the poor with salvation.
Psalm 149: 4

So, those who are materially poor are in a fortunate situation regarding the kingdom. But they enter it only if they take advantage of the opportunity and develop a hunger for God’s justice and holiness (Mt 5: 3-10).
On the other hand, someone who is rich, who is detached enough from possessions to be ready to share them with the poor, also joins those in the kingdom who “have only their chains to lose.”

Thus, being members of the kingdom, those who have accepted the invitation are reborn as “little ones,” because they are signs of “a new creation.” Their new relationship with God alters their relationship with themselves and with others. Among them an intimate communion is established because, accepted by God, they also accept one another.

This rising to a new life with God we see continued every day in the preaching and the sacramental life of the Church.