World Day of the Poor – SVP Christmas Campaign 2024
In Matthew 26:11 Jesus tells his disciples “you will always have the Poor, you will not only have me”
It is important to consider where this sits in the Gospel, at the tail end of the previous chapter we have seen a reframing of the Poor, “whatever you do for the least of these children of mine you do for me” (Mt. 25:40) and is framed in the context of Jesus imminent betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, death and crucially resurrection.
Soon we will reflect on what this scripture tells us as Christians? As Disciples? As Vincentians? In light of this World Day of the Poor.
First we must rule out what the world might have us believe… “You will always have the Poor” could smack of futility. Any effort to alleviate the suffering of our neighbours will be fleeting, insufficient and at best temporary, systems will not change and inhumanity will always trump humanity. Why should we bother? Would it not be better to be glad for our lot in life and indeed celebrate the comforts we are afforded above others? Without hope, joy and purpose these words are an excuse for inaction.
As Christians what must we hear?, we often pray the Lords own prayer which contains the line “on earth as it is in Heaven”, we aspire to make our lived days as heavenly as it is possible to, when we encounter poverty and its hallmarks, dependence and distraction with the worlds quick solutions, purposelessness, hopelessness, numbness and a lack of life. Where we as Christians see poverty we ought to hear a calling to make it has Heaven albeit on earth. To recognise Christ in that situation, carried by us and met “by the least of these children of mine”. To the Christian that scripture must give us purpose and direction.
As Disciples what must we hear? Consider some of the other moments witnessed by the disciples where impossible need was noticed, responded to and miraculously met. The disciples remember the feeding of five thousand with meagre donations, the redemption of sins matched with the curing of ailments, the disciples have worked to bring those hurt by the world to Christ and this Mission does not change. We are the stewards at the wedding feast, the friends who carry a paralytic man through the crowds, we cooperate with God for our miracles we are not supposed to work them ourselves. To the Disciple that scripture must give us permission to act without being capable of miracles.
As Vincentians what must we hear? Vincent and all of our saints inspired by him, we have a Society which is shaped by the need it caters to. A Society which is constantly evolving, constantly organising, constantly reshaping and constantly giving and constantly growing. To the Vincentian that scripture must give us cause to recognise, reflect and respond.
You will always have the Poor and that poverty is constantly evolving, we must embrace the materially poor, the socially poor, the health poor, the purpose poor and many many more.
We must also recognise that poverty in ourselves and seek to find it in the Church and our Conferences, have we made our corner of Earth feel like Heaven yet?
Director for Membership, Jon Cornwall