Love For the Poor
God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who
turn
away from them: "Give to him who begs from you, do not refuse him who
would
borrow from you"; "you received without pay, give without pay." It is by
what
they have done for the poor that Jesus Christ will recognize his chosen
ones.
When "the poor have the good news preached to them," it is the sign of
Christ's
presence.
"The Church's love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant
tradition."
This
love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus,
and
of his concern for the poor. Love for the poor is even one of the motives
for
the duty of working so as to "be able to give to those in need." It
extends
not
only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and
religious
poverty.
Love for the poor is incompatible with immoderate love of riches or their
selfish use:
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon
you.
Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and
silver
have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your
flesh
like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages
of
the
laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and
the
cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You
have
lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your
hearts
in a
day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have killed the righteous man;
he
does
not resist you.
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December 22nd - St. Ischyrion, Martyr
Ischyrion was a Christian who lived in the third century. He was a lowly
attendant to an Egyptian magistrate. When one day his master commanded him
to
offer sacrifices to idols, Ischyrion refused. Furious that his servant
would
dare to refuse him, the magistrate had him killed in a most savage way; a
stake
was run into his bowels, impaling him.
Certainly Ischyrion was an obedient, industrious, and faithful servant.
His
master must have been shocked that such a humble and diligent steward
would
even
think of refusing him anything. He would have been even more amazed that
this
lowly servant would be so courageous, knowing that he would surely lose
his
life
over his refusal to obey his master.
As we know, the blood of martyrs is the seed of our faith. It is through
the
courageous and pious acts of these Christians that Christianity has grown
and
spread throughout the world. Who could fail to believe someone who is
willing to
not only die for his or her beliefs but to chance torture as well? This is
a
very strong witness to our Christian faith.
Like Ischyrion, we have to be willing to lay down our lives for our faith.
However, in most instances, we are only called to witness or to correct an
evil
and how many have failed in this? We shouldn't fear, though, that we will
not be
ready to die for our faith if we stay close to our Lord and ask Him for
the
grace.
December 22nd - St. Ischyrion , St. Chaeremon and other Martyrs
The third century was marked by Roman persecutions of the Church. Today's
saints
were martyred during the reign of Emperor Decius.They lived in Egypt. Many
of
the Christians were driven out into the desert. There they died in a
variety
of
ways: hunger, thirst, cold nights, wild animals, criminals. Naturally, if
the
Christians tried to return to civilization, they were killed. The young,
healthy
Christians were sold into slavery.
St. Chaeremon was a priest and bishop of Nilopolis. He was very old when
the
persecution became extreme. The elderly bishop and a companion went for
shelter
to the mountains of Arabia. They were never seen again, nor were their
bodies
ever found.
St. Ischyrion worked for an official in one of Egypt's cities. It may have
been
Alexandria. His employer required that he sacrifice to the gods. Ischyrion
refused because this was against the first commandment. The official was
angry
and insulted. He had Ischyrion killed.
A great many other martyrs are included here who gave their lives for
Jesus
at
this time in Egypt.
Today, there are still many people who suffer for their faith in Jesus.
Let
us
pray for them, that they will have the courage they need to be faithful to
the
Gospel.
Reflection: It is not a man's terrestrial condition, but his virtue that
can
make him truly great and truly happy. However lowly a person's station or
circumstances may be, the road to both greatness and happiness is open to
him;
and there is not a servant or slave whom God will not sustain, if he is
fired
with the laudable ambition of arriving at the summit of Christian
perfection.
(Rev. Alban Butler)
Prayer: Lord, grant us the grace to be courageous in times of peril and to
stand
fast in our faith always, knowing that You are with us, even unto death.
Amen.
Saint Quote:
Far be it from Christians that to do such deeds [as our done by pagan
sinners]
should enter their mind; for temperance dwells with them, self-restraint
is
practiced, monogamy is observed, chastity is guarded, injustice is
exterminated,
sin is rooted out, righteousness is exercised, law is ministered,
reverence
is
preserved, God is acknowledged: truth controls, grace guards, peace
protects,
the holy word guides, wisdom teaches, life directs, God reigns.
-Saint Theophilus of Antioch
Bible Quote:
The world with its lust passes away, but he who does the Will of God
abides
forever. (I St. John 2:17)
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Canticle Habakkuk 3
The Lord will appear in judgement
Lord, I heard what you gave me to hear,
and I was struck with awe of your work.
In the midst of the years, bring it to life;
in the midst of the years you will make it known.
When you are angry, you will remember your mercy.
God will come from Theman,
the holy one from the mountain of Pharan.
His glory has covered the heavens
and the earth is full of his praise.
His brightness shall be like light itself,
rays shining from his hands -
there is his strength hidden.
You went forth for the salvation of the people,
for salvation with your anointed one.
You made a way through the sea for your horses,
in the silt of many waters.
I have heard you, Lord,
and my stomach churns within me;
at the sound of your voice my lips tremble.
My bones rot away, my steps stumble.
I will rest and be quiet on the day of tribulation
and let it overtake those who have invaded us.
For the fig will not flower,
the vines will not fruit,
the work of the olive will be lost.
The fields will yield no food,
the flocks will be cut off from the sheepfold,
there will be no cattle in the stalls.
But I will rejoice in the Lord, take joy in God my saviour.
The Lord God is my strength.
He will make me as sure-footed as the deer.
He will lead me up to the heights.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
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