Tues., Dec. 24, 2013
Deacon Robert Banet
Grandpa, I have a question for you.
OK, Louis, shoot. I hope I can answer it for you. You know, some of your questions are pretty tough to answer.
What about poverty? Is it good or bad?
Maybe you’d better explain yourself.
OK. Some people take a vow of poverty, and yet we try to get rid of poverty.
Ah, I see. You are really getting to see the problems that we have. Let’s see. Jesus was born in poverty. It was God’s choice that it be so. So we can say that poverty, if it’s chosen voluntarity, can be seen as a good.
Yes, I remember in one of the Gospels, Jesus said blessed are the poor.
And He also said in another place, blessed are the poor in spirit.
That makes it kind of confusing, doesn’t it?
In a way, yes. Let’s just say that if poverty is freely chosen it’s a good thing.
But if it’s not?
Then we look to Jesus and watch Him feeding the poor, taking care of their sicknesses. And remember, He said when someone complained about using expensive ointment on Him. They said the money should be spent on the poor.
I don’t remember that.
He said you will always have the poor with you. That is, you can take care of them then.
I see.
This is a partial answer. Maybe that will have to do for now.
Thank you, Grandpa.