While some people would prefer to look at the Catholic Church as rich and powerful, many still believes that it is a Church with a heart for the poor, a Church with preferential option for the poor, true from generations to generations.
The role of the Church in serving God by serving the poor remains its central arena, the threshold of the Catholic Church’s faith. Yes, the richness and wealth of the Church are often questioned and it had faced numerous negative impressions and understanding from different and various individuals, institutions and some Church denominations, but still the Church does what it was meant to do from the very beginning – to proclaim the Gospel to the poor in service and love.
In the past, the Church, for instance, was not “perfect” when it comes to taking care of the poor. There were times that the Church became the oppressor instead of being the defender of the poor. Regaled with power and wealth, there were events unimaginable where the poor were deprived of their own dignity, right, and life, all “in the name of God.”
We’ve heard of the various scandals of the Church, a global phenomenon acknowledged by Christians and non-believers alike. We’ve heard of stories and legends of cruelty and devilish acts of “should be” holy persons. And the Church has acknowledged all of these sorts, its mistakes and sins towards the poor.
Nonetheless, the Church is also worthy of recognition for all its countless contributions. The Church composed of human persons, with its hierarchy, faith and tradition, is the representation of God’s love and mercy to all the world. From its birth until today, the Church remains the hand, mind and heart of God which tends its flock especially the poor.
At this time of pandemic, we still vividly see and recognize the struggles of the poor people. During this time, they are the most vulnerable, they are the most affected, they are the most forgotten by the society. With greed and thirst for personal security and power, this time of pandemic is the most unwanted for the poor because this time, they have limited resources to provide for their own while the rich are in plenty. While heath is the major concern for many, the poor are concerned of what to provide for their own families.
Who are the poor in our society today? Maybe, they are our neighbors whom we may have failed to look and recognize because of our indifference. They may have roofs above their heads but are scarce of bread on their tables. They may have a home but maybe that’s the only thing that they have.
We know who the poor people are in our society. In fact, we see them everyday. We hear their unsinkable cries that echoes to our ears, and their clamour for justice in this volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world. The Church sees all these. The Church has contemplated on these situations. I guess, the Church has moved from self-care, a “maintenance” status-quo to service towards the poor, in means it can provide. We see that all around us all over the globe. The Church who provides shelter, food, love and compassion, even in justice and providing peace. And so the Church remains the defender and protector of the poor. In its own right, it has never compromised its birth-right, an oath to follow God, Jesus Christ by going to the poor and the needy, by caring and serving those in need.
The poor is the Church, the Church is the poor because the two are intertwined. They are one and inseparable, a total reciprocity of love and compassion. For where the poor is, there the Church is also. The poor then is the Church’s treasured universe where it can only thrive, live and find its purpose. The poor is the heartbeat of the Church. There is no distinction. There should be no distinction. The Church is for the poor and the poor finds faith, hope and love in the Church.
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