BLOG ACTION DAY 2008 - POVERTY

BLOG ACTION DAY 2008 - POVERTY

Why are people suffering poverty?

…he fell into the hands of robbers.
They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

What is the reaction of most people to this injustice?

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

What should have been done?

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

But why are people suffering poverty today?

The are many robbers in our midst.
There are many priests and Levites in our midst who look the other way,
while there are very few good Samaritans around.

But many times, all of these people act through the same person.

It just so happens that the acts particular to robbers, priests and Levites far outnumber the acts particular to good Samaritans.

And that’s why we have poverty, because very few have heard, or understood, and internalized the concept of having mercy on their neighbors, much less understood who their neighbors are.

If people did, they would have paid attention and heeded the words:

"Go and do likewise."