“He sent me to give the good news to the poor” Luke 4:18
The poor have much to teach us.
Pope Francis has declared Sunday 17 November 2024 to be the eighth World Day of the Poor, with the theme of “The prayer of the poor rises up to God.” The expression that gives the 2024 World Day of the Poor its theme is taken from the Book of Sirach (cf. Sir 21:5), which Pope Francis says is not sufficiently known and deserves to be discovered for the richness of its themes.
Pope Francis’ message this year reflects on the role of prayer as a path of communion with those who are poor and a way of sharing in their suffering. He reminds us that we are all beggars because, without God, we would be nothing. Yet how often we live as if we were the masters of life, or we make a name for ourselves at any cost. Happiness cannot be acquired by trampling on the rights and dignity of others. “Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society.”
Pope Francis also links his message to preparations for the 2025 Year of Jubilee when we are invited to look at a number of social issues, including poverty, and reflect on how we are called to respond.
Caritas Diocese of Plymouth has prepared some intentions which can be included at the Universal Prayer during Mass on the 17th and also a short discussion note and prayers (based on the Jubilee materials developed by the Bishops’ Conference) that could be used at coffee after Mass or at a separate meeting to foster discussion about how we are reaching out to the poor.
Between the producer and the consumer
hold the hands of wealth and the heart of greed.
Between governments and nations
hold the hands of economics and business profits.
Together we can redistribute our resources
and bring together
the hands of justice and the heart of life.
And that will be money well spent.
Amen.
Some useful links
CBCEW campaign on child poverty
Caritas Plymouth resource on homelessness
Caritas resource on support for older people