What Have You Done for Me Lately?
By Andre Audette
Christ tells us that “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). What have you done for Him lately?
Pope Leo’s recent Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te asks us to consider how we treat the poor, and in doing so, how we treat Christ Himself. In among the most convicting lines, the Pope wonders: “even though the teaching of Sacred Scripture is so clear about the poor, why [do] many people continue to think that they can safely disregard the poor?” In a culture often defined by consumption and excess, we would do well to examine our own lives to better live the Scriptural call to serve the poor. I invite you to pray with this inventory to truly dig into your own life and how you live the Gospel.
These are areas we must examine:
Our possessions. What do you no longer need, or could you live without? The earliest church fathers preached that the things we unnecessarily store away are stolen from the hands of the poor.
Our shopping. Can you buy less than you do? Can you make purchases from more sustainable businesses, local businesses, or those with better employment practices?
Our finances. How much more could you live without so that others might merely live?
Our time. What time do you spend on unnecessary tasks that you could donate through volunteering and serving others?
Our relationships. How do you treat the poor in your own life: elderly parents, young children, friends, colleagues, or employees? Can you practice loving those closest to you more? Do you spend time with the poor?
Our libraries. What do you know about the poor? Have you read their stories? Do you understand the policies and circumstances that affect their lives?
Our conversations. In the United States, we often only talk about the poor when preceded by “Standard &.” Can you better advocate for the poor in your words?
Our politics. We are called to challenge and change unjust social situations that lead to poverty. How do you and your political representatives work for justice for the poor?
Our heart. What prejudices do you have against others, especially the poor? Challenge the snap judgements that you or your loved ones might make about those who are different from you.
Our prayer life. Do you pray regularly for charity and justice, for the courage to be generous?
If we are to be people of faith, we must be people of the poor. It is much easier to be people of comfort – materially, socially, and spiritually. No wonder this list is so challenging! If you, like me, find this an overwhelming responsibility, identify one of the areas above where you can make a real difference today in the lives of the poor.
The Gospel tells us (in a less Americanized way) that when Christ calls our name, He will ask of us: what have you done for me lately? May we have an answer.