What does “poverty” consist of
for people among whom you live?

Dzisiejsze Słowo pochodzi z Księgi Rodzaju (Rdz 32, 25 - 29)

Today’s Reading comes from the Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 10:30-36)

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers,
who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.
Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him,
he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him,
passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him;
and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds,
having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal,
brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii,
gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back,
I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three,
do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

Human poverty can have various faces.

Sometimes you can see it plain as daylight,
however sometimes it hides itself by putting on various masks.

The visible one can often meet with indifference;
the hidden one normally remains unnoticed.

Are you ready to notice the poverty of people
who are around you?

In what way do you support the poor?
When you give alms, do you look into the eyes of the one
who receives it?
When you give alms, do you touch the hand of the one who you give it to,
or do you drop the money from up high?

It isn’t enough that you notice human poverty.

It also isn’t about doing anything
and maintaining feelings of your own decency.

Try to in all seriousness answer the question:

What does “poverty” consist of for people among whom you live?

Glory Be...

Translation: Thomas Harbeck