World Day of the Poor 2024

Pope Francis has commemorated the World Day of the Poor since 2017, when he released his first message, "Let us love, not with words, but with deeds." 2024 marks the 8th year to observe this important event, which will occur on Sunday, November 17^th with the thematic message, "The prayer of the poor rises to God" (Sirach 21:5).

Pope Francis states that God understands the sufferings of his children because he is an "attentive and caring" father who takes care of those who are most in need: the poor, marginalized, the suffering and forgotten. "No one is excluded from his heart”, says Pope Francis, “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. Yet how often we live as if we were the masters of life or as if we had to conquer it!"[1]

 The Church, as the body of Christ, is God's anointed hands and feet, reaching out to proclaim the Good News to the poor through words and deeds (Eph 1:23; Lk 4:18). Pope Francis models this every third Sunday of November by celebrating Holy Mass, followed by a lunch with people who are either "poor" in possession or spirit.

In a 2024 October report, the World Bank Group reported that 700 million (8.5%) of the global population live on less than $2.15 per day, while another 3.5 billion (44%) people survive on less than $6.85 per day.[2] Living in poverty or being "poor" impacts people's dignity by limiting access to essential resources such as proper shelter, safe drinking water, electricity, healthy food, access to education, and medical care. These issues are further exacerbated by the ongoing threats of climate change, which impact the livelihoods of people living in economically poorer countries.

As the climate crisis advances, bringing with it disastrous repercussions that impact the most vulnerable countries in the world, forecasts predict that 1.2 billion climate refugees will relocate to new countries.[3] Bangladesh is an example, where the poor and vulnerable are catastrophically impacted by pre-monsoon flooding, extreme weather patterns, and rising sea levels. Many people in Bangladesh relocate internally in the aftermath of cyclones and floods, while others migrate to countries like Korea to financially support their struggling families.

Columban Lay Missionary Ms Christina Lee Kyungja shares a story of a woman who migrated from Bangladesh to Korea but fell into a depressive state that isolated her and embedded a dreadful sense of fear that threatened her livelihood.[4] Christina began to visit the lady regularly, encouraged her to learn the Korean language, and invited her to activities where she could start connecting to the local community. The lady eventually surfaced from the depression and, with encouragement, began to overcome her challenges.

Jesus said that the poor will always be with us (Matt 26:11), whether that be a migrant/refugee struggling to survive in a new country, a family losing their home and livelihood due to climate change, parents struggling to feed their children due to socio-economic pressures, or the elderly becoming homeless due to the high cost of living, the pertinent question remains:

How is the Church responding?

As a Catholic Society, the plight of the poor is a Columban priority under the Biodiversity Protection and Restoration Mission for Economic Disparity and Climate Change. Yet, as the Body of Christ, each one of us is called to be God's hands, feet, and heart to those who are destitute, suffering, and in need – whether that need is a warm meal, clothes, a helping hand, or a listening ear – we are invited to respond in the spirit of God's greatest command:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matt 22:37-39)

Let us never forget that the poor are our neighbours, and sometimes, it can even be that we find ourselves in need. So, when the opportunity arises to serve those who do not have the ability to repay us, remember that you may be the answer to the “prayers of the poor rising to God.” (Sirach 21:5)

Christina provides an example as a Columban Lay Missionary working in Korea:

"There is a Korean Proverb, "A neighbour nearby is better than a distant relative." It emphasizes the importance of being in a "good relationship" with your neighbour. I like to spend time and build friendships with the new migrants in my community. I welcome them, and show respect, understanding, and empathy towards their background and circumstances. As a Columban missionary, I hope to offer comfort and courage to those who feel fear in the darkness or cannot see sufficient hope in their lives to emerge into a brighter place."

Let us pray:

God of Justice, open our eyes to see you in the face of the poor.

Open our ears to hear you in the cries of the exploited.

Open our mouths to defend you in the public squares as well as in private deeds. Remind us that what we do to the least ones, we do to you. Amen.[5]

Mariana Waqa is the Regional Schools & Community Partnerships Coordinator.