Who are the Poor?
The poor are the center of the Church. But who are the poor? At first we might think of people who are not like us: people who live in slums, people who go to soup kitchens, people who sleep on the streets, people in prisons, mental hospitals, and nursing homes. But the poor can be very close. They can be in our own families, churches, or workplaces. Even closer, the poor can be we ourselves, who feel unloved, rejected, ignored, or abused. It is precisely when we see and experience poverty—whether far away, close by, or in our own hearts—that we need to become the Church; that is, hold hands as brothers and sisters, confess our own brokenness and need, forgive one another, heal one another’s wounds, and gather around the table of Jesus for the breaking of the bread. Thus, as the poor we recognize Jesus, who became poor for us.
—Henri Nouwen,
Bread for the Journey
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This verse reveals something profound about the heart of God—He so closely identifies with the vulnerable, the overlooked, and the hurting, that to serve them is to serve Him. Every small act of kindness—offering a meal, listening with compassion, giving without expecting return—is a sacred interaction with Christ Himself.
This changes how we see people. No moment is too small, no person too insignificant. The divine is hidden in the ordinary, and Jesus is present in the needs of those around us. To love well, then, is not just to imitate Christ, but to encounter Him. Let’s put our faith in action … let’s love someone well today! —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics