In Santo Domingo Church, there are some people who have been frequenting the church begging for various assistance, whether financial, medical needs etc. Some are genuinely in need, while others are obviously fooling around. I remember one man asking for his fare so he can go to Manila (from Quezon City) to apply for a job. Seeing his sincerity and the tears rolling on his cheeks, I gave him a couple of pesos and he eagerly left my presence to pursue his “dream job.” A day after, he returned and saw me again along the church corridor. He asked for assistance again, this time for his fare in going back to his province in Bulacan, since he had lost hope in securing a good job in the city. In the name of charity, I handed him a couple of pesos once again, and he excitedly left me. I thought his excitement was due to a prospect of seeing his beloved family in his province once again. An elder brother saw me giving money to that particular man. He approached me and reprimanded me for doing so. He informed me that that man had been known in the area as a professional con man who had been targeting brothers who had just arrived in the church.
Christ teaches us the seven corporal works of mercy. They are guides which are meant to direct us in living a life concerned not just on our personal bodily needs but also on the needs of others. They are ways through which we can properly treat our neighbors in their material and physical needs as if they are Christ in disguise. They explore the social dimension of our life. Thus, after all, no one lives by and for himself.
How shall we treat then our neighbors in need? Feed the hungry. Shelter the homeless. Clothe the naked. Visit the sick and imprisoned. Bury the dead. Give alms to the poor. Are these difficult to do? Yes, especially when you yourself are busy attending to your own bodily needs. It is difficult to feed the hungry when you yourself have nothing to eat. It is difficult to welcome someone to enter your house when you have no more room for another warm body in a cramped space. It is difficult to clothe others when you cannot let go of your signature clothes. It is difficult to visit the sick and imprisoned if you yourself are nursing your own hurting souls. It is difficult to bury the dead as it may come with a very pricey tag. It is difficult to give alms when you hardly have anything to give. To make this charitable works even more difficult is the fact that these hungry persons, homeless, naked, sick and imprisoned, the dead, and the beggars, are strangers to us. We were taught in our childhood not to talk to strangers, not even to dare deal with them, lest we endanger ourselves of being fooled.
Following the precepts of Jesus is difficult. You will never know when a person is truly in need or when he is simply fooling you around. But Jesus never promised that it would be easy: ‘Take up your cross,’ the Savior said, ‘if you would my disciple be.’
How can we then help the poor and those in need?
We may not have much in life, but what we lack, God provides in abundance: love. Our primary purpose as Christians (who do things for someone) is not to eliminate poverty (this is the task of social workers), but to love those who are unloved. Christ came primarily, not to eliminate poverty, but that man may know how much God loves him. The elimination of poverty comes as a by-product of first and foremost loving one's neighbor. You may not have any food to spare for a hungry stomach, but showing your concern to them can fill their hearts which had grown empty too from affection.
Mother Teresa counsels us: the poor are Jesus Christ in disguise. They are Jesus in his most distressing disguise. If we see our neighbor as another Christ simply in different appearance, would we hesitate to hand him a glass of water? Would we dare utter wrong words against him? Would it still be difficult to assist those in need, knowing that it is Jesus who is hungry, naked, homeless, forsaken and destitute? Our neighbors in need cease to be strangers when we see Jesus hidden in their sorry state.
Recognize Christ in others, especial in the ordinary and needy people. Difficult? Faith can substantially help us, as it does in the Eucharist when we see Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine. Will you adore Christ, as you behold Him among the hungry, sick, imprisoned, and those in need?
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