Do Not Forget the Poor

7/16/2016

STEP #1: LECTIO / READ

Psalm 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14

R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
Why, O LORD, do you stand aloof?
Why hide in times of distress?
Proudly the wicked harass the afflicted,
who are caught in the devices the wicked have contrived.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
For the wicked man glories in his greed,
and the covetous blasphemes, sets the LORD at nought.
The wicked man boasts, “He will not avenge it”;
“There is no God,” sums up his thoughts.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
His mouth is full of cursing, guile and deceit;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
He lurks in ambush near the villages;
in hiding he murders the innocent;
his eyes spy upon the unfortunate.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow,
taking them in your hands.
On you the unfortunate man depends;
of the fatherless you are the helper.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!

STEP #2: MEDITATIO / MEDITATE

Violence and terror seems to be pervading our world at every turn. Between terrorist attacks, the refugee crisis, shootings, and other acts of violence, our world appears to be quickly falling apart. It’s times like these when it would be easy to give into despair and think that the Lord has forgotten the poor and suffering. Today’s Responsorial Psalm begins with this moment of deep despair. Indeed, during those times of distress, it can be hard to find the Lord and see his goodness and mercy in the midst of great suffering. There are plenty of “wicked men” in our world today, filling it with anger and strife. However, in my opinion, the truly poor man is the “wicked man,” who does not think that God exists. He does not get to encounter the Lord and experience his goodness and mercy. God’s mercy is real, and he offers it to all of us. We just have to be open to it with a humble and contrite heart. We too are called to show love and mercy to those around us. We too cannot forget the poor and vulnerable. We must pray not only for the afflicted but also for those who perform evil acts and cause this suffering. They are especially in need of God’s merciful love. At the end of the day, love and mercy are stronger than any act of violence, and as Christians, we are called to bring Christ’s light into this world so filled with darkness.

I firmly believe that one of the things our world is most lacking is hope. We often act as if everything depends on us and forget how much we need to rely on God. We can go to him with our hurts and struggles, in our own lives and in the world, and offer them to him. Today’s Psalm ends by realizing that the Lord does indeed see our pain and suffering. Christ sees each one of us in our suffering and is holding us in the palm of his hand. He sees the terror and suffering overtaking our world yet still sees the beauty and goodness in all of his creation. It was on the cross that Christ gave a new meaning to suffering, and it is only by learning to depend on him and seeking him even in the midst of suffering and violence that we will be able to overcome. He has not forgotten us, and no matter what we face, the Lord still reigns above all.

STEP #3: ORATIO / PRAY

Where is the Lord present in the world today?

How can I find the Lord even in the midst of suffering and violence?

What can I do to rely on the Lord more fully? What is something weighing on my heart that I need to offer to him?

What can I do to show love and mercy to the poor and vulnerable?

STEP #4: CONTEMPLATIO / CONTEMPLATE

“You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow, taking them in your hands.”

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Lord, may we always hope in you and never give into despair.

FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY...

Seek the Lord in all things today. Share the light of Christ with those around you. Offer up everything to God, both the good and the bad.

SMARTPHONE LOCK SCREEN

Today's prayer was prepared by Maggie Overbeck.

CARPE VERBUM