For almost the past decade the Church has dedicated the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary time as World Day of the Poor to draw all people’s attention to those in need. In Pope Francis’ message he highlights the little known book of the Bible, Sirach, and in particular contemplates the passage “The prayer of the poor rises up to God,” Sirach 21:5. 

These prayers are rising up to God the Father, “as a father, he takes care of those who are most in need: the poor, the marginalized, the suffering and the forgotten. No one is excluded from his heart, for in his eyes, we are all poor and needy. We are all beggars because, without God, we would be nothing. We would not even have life if God had not given it to us.” (4, emphasis added). To recognize our own individual need for God opens us to receiving the great gift of those we encounter each day and creates space for dialogue. As Pope Francis shares in his message for World Day of the Poor:

“This silence, therefore, is broken every time a person in need is welcomed and embraced. The poor still have much to teach us because in a culture that has placed wealth at the forefront and often sacrifices the dignity of people on the altar of material goods, they swim against the tide, highlighting that what is essential for life is something else entirely” (7).

Read: Pope Francis’ full message about World Day of the Poor here. 

Pray: Boldly ask for the intercession of St. Martin de Porres, whose feast is celebrated on November 3rd, and learn about the abundance of ways he embraced the poor here.  

Act: Many people who are experiencing homelessness may go months without hearing their name. The next time you encounter someone, introduce yourself and ask the person their name as a simple way to continue to restore their dignity and humanity.