Psalm Reflection: The Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

“God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.” - Psalm 68

As I read this Psalm, I cannot help but think of the first Beatitude:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven - Matthew 5:3

Not only is this the first one that Jesus offers, it is also the very first words of his most important public sermon in the Bible, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). It is obviously not a mistake that He leads with this and we should pay close attention as to why.

It seems that in order to understand everything that Jesus came to teach us and to do, He is telling us that we must approach Him in poverty. This is not to say that you must become homeless and destitute to follow Jesus. He is speaking here of a spiritual poverty: a detachment to worldly desires and pursuits and a complete trust that God will provide.

Those who are living in real poverty are an example of this to us. It always amazes me that every time I encounter a homeless person or someone living in poverty, they always bring up God or faith without even being prompted. Despite the fact that I am a professional Catholic minster, they are the ones who teach me and inspire me to deeper faith.

The poor recognize that they have nothing, and everything that comes to them is from God, often brought through the generosity of others. They trust the He will fulfill their humble needs and desires.

Like the poor, we also have a poverty that Jesus wants to fulfill. The problem is that we try to tackle the problem on our own and throw every worldly thing we can think of at our desires, and none of it ultimately lasts or works. All that we seek and desire is only fulfilled in Christ. That is why the poor and the homeless are always so close to and aware of God in their lives, because there is so much less preventing them from seeing how God is providing for and loving them every day. 

This is part of the reason why the Church calls us to be close to the poor: we can learn from them and encounter Jesus in the midst of them. Despite being the Savior of humanity who could have come as a great emperor or king, Jesus chose to live in poverty. If being a Christian mean to be a “little Christ,” then we cannot ignore this detail. We must reflect on how to be present to the poor, and to foster a deeper inner poverty that desires Christ alone.

The Catholic priest, theologian, and author, Henri Nouwen, put it this way in Aging:

Poverty is the quality of the heart that makes us over the heart that makes us relate to life, not as a property to be defended but as a gift to be shared. Poverty is the constant willingness to say good-bye to yesterday and move forward to new, unknown experiences. Poverty is the inner understanding that the hours, days, weeks, and years do not belong to us but are the gentle reminders of our call to give, not only love and work, but life itself, to those who follow us and will take our place. He or she who cares is invited to be poor, to strip himself or herself from the illusions of ownership, and to create some room for the person looking for a place to rest. The paradox of care is that poverty makes a good host. When our hands, heads, and hearts are filled with worries, concerns, and preoccupations, there can hardly be any place left for the stranger to feel at home.

When we encounter the poor, we are being inviting to encounter Jesus in them. We can help them with their temporal needs and they help us with our eternal ones but reminding us to not be attached to the people, events, experiences and things that do not bringing lasting joy.

This week, encounter the poor you see amongst you. Do so in a safe and public space, but do not shy away from making eye contact, smiling, saying hello, or even introducing yourself and asking their name so you can pray for them and perhaps hear some of their stories. The poor are people just like us, they do not deserve to be ignored or avoided because they are struggling or have problems with mental health or addiction. Christ is alive in them as He is in all people.

The Psalmist reminds us that God has made a home for the poor, but where? Perhaps it is in our own minds and hearts, but our discomfort can leave that home vacant and unoccupied. Open your heart to encounter Christ in others this week, especially the poor, and be inspired by their faith and reliance on God despite everything they have been through. Carve a place in your mind and heart for them, to pray for them and serve them in whatever ways you are able.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt