Nov 15, 2021
This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. Last weekend we celebrated the World Day of the Poor. You may ask why we “celebrate” a day for the poor. While we do not celebrate poverty, Pope Francis reminds us that the poor know personally the suffering of Jesus—a poor carpenter from a small town—through their own sufferings and trials. As friends and companions, we must speak out for the poor and ensure their protection as a priority in our culture. We must listen to them, understand them, and, most of all, welcome them. It is not solely about donations, but a determination to be attentiveto their needs as we are attentive to the voice of God. May we commit to meeting the poor personally, wherever they are—and allow them to show us the face of Christ.