"Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
Who...emptied himself, taking the form of a slave."
(Phil 2:5-7)
Who...emptied himself, taking the form of a slave."
(Phil 2:5-7)
A recent CARA survey revealed that 50% of American Catholics said
that a lack of effort is generally to blame for a person's poverty (vol.
23, no. 2, Fall 2017).
Maybe it's time for an Advent gut-check: Do I really think that people who have been born into generational poverty just aren't trying hard enough to get out? Do I really think that there are no social structures in place which powerfully impact those living in poverty? If so, then the myth of a "wealth and wellness gospel " has clearly taken root in my heart: My successes in life are all a result God's blessings in reward for all of my heroic efforts--me, his worthy servant.
The reality of God's self-revelation cuts against this attitude of blame and shame toward the poor. After all, no one chooses to be born into poverty, except the Son of God.
Maybe it's time for an Advent gut-check: Do I really think that people who have been born into generational poverty just aren't trying hard enough to get out? Do I really think that there are no social structures in place which powerfully impact those living in poverty? If so, then the myth of a "wealth and wellness gospel " has clearly taken root in my heart: My successes in life are all a result God's blessings in reward for all of my heroic efforts--me, his worthy servant.
The reality of God's self-revelation cuts against this attitude of blame and shame toward the poor. After all, no one chooses to be born into poverty, except the Son of God.
But why does the Incarnate God choose to be born poor? Clearly it is not to provide a context for some amazing "rags to riches" story line of worldly success, since the King of Kings also chose to die stripped and dispossessed on a cross--which wasn't even his own.
Moreover, the Lord shows no disdain for the alleged "lack of effort" of the poor when he proclaims that: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor" (Lk 4:18)? We might even have to admit that he shows a preferential love of the poor when he begins the Sermon on the Plain with, "Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours" (Lk 6:20)!
Moreover, the Lord shows no disdain for the alleged "lack of effort" of the poor when he proclaims that: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor" (Lk 4:18)? We might even have to admit that he shows a preferential love of the poor when he begins the Sermon on the Plain with, "Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours" (Lk 6:20)!
These not-so-subtle--and rather shocking--words from the Word made flesh should signal the
The temptation to think about the "worthy" and the "unworthy" poor may be a particularly appealing form of idolatry to Americans. This is certainly a land of great opportunity, but the myth of the "American dream" implies that opportunity is equally available for all. It assumes that wealth is a blessing, and yet conveniently ignores Jesus' blunt warning, "Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation" (Lk 6:24).
Maybe American Christians find it difficult to prepare for the coming of an impoverished Savior because of our surfeit of earthly riches. Maybe we are simply content with our finite consolations, and thus unable to open ourselves to the Infinite rewards which the kingdom of God can alone deliver.
Let's pray that this Advent brings a renewed spirit of evangelical poverty into our so-easily hardened hearts: May we prepare anew to welcome that Child, "dressed in swaddling clothes," and then journey with his Holy Family empty-handed into exile. After all, as Dorothy Day observed, "The Gospel takes away our right forever to
discriminate between the deserving and the undeserving poor."
Love sees such things, which is why Jesus says to each of us and to all: "Watch!"
Love sees such things, which is why Jesus says to each of us and to all: "Watch!"
