World Day of the Poor
“Stretch forth your hand to the poor.” This year Pope Francis used the words from the book of Sirach to shed light on the great story of poverty that envelopes entire nations. The pandemic that the world is experiencing has brought to light a poverty that many had forgotten: fragility. By definition the poor are fragile, because they lack what is necessary and their existence depends on the generosity and solidarity of others. Paradoxical as it may seem, Covid has made it possible for us to discover that we are all weak and dependent on others. No one is excluded from this condition. The great of the earth, the powerful of the world and the man on the street are all on the same level. The facemask can be a first line of defense, but the virus creeps in regardless of one’s good intentions. We cannot save ourselves alone, but only together. The images are still fresh in our eyes of the generosity of so many people who really gave their lives to help those in need. Some even called them “heroes”, as so many people are no longer used to seeing acts of daily life where commitment and generosity should be normal and everyone’s traveling companions.