Parable and Conscience Meditation December 19

Poverty  December 19

. . . our observance of the vow of poverty should always be fair to others and respect their rights (Const. GS13.2).

Justice does not permit having or personally using earthly goods in a way that denies the basic necessities to others.  Earth is the possession of the whole human family and each member of the family has the right to benefit from it for his/her development.  To insist on a having a superabundance of goods is to risk swallowing up too much of the already limited world’s resources, leaving the poor unjustly deprived of their most basic needs.  It’s the story of the few in the world who have the economic and technological power to manipulate the resources of the earth to the disadvantage of the many.  This is not just and cries out for the re-establishment of balance.  In the name of the New Creation in Christ, the vow of poverty models a non-materialistic way of life.  The practice of the vow invites the world to make an option for the poor.  Moreover, religious involve themselves actively in protesting against injustice through what they do not do (unjustly use goods), as well as through their prophetic message (courageously denouncing unjust practices).

The elephant is always big but respects its little ones.  (Bansu Bansu)

O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;  kings stand silent in your presence;  the nations bow down in worship before you.  Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.