The theme for this year’s World Day of the Poor is: The poor you will always have with you, taken from the Gospel of Mark 14:7. Christians are called to see Jesus in the impoverished and those extreme misery.
In today’s Hong Kong, the government is not yet prepared to relax various anti-Covid-19 measures. Yet it seems that more are dining out than previously. According to the latest labour force statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department in mid-September, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4.5 per cent, most noticeably in the food services, construction and transport sectors.
However, many quarters are still suffering. In particular, the aviation industry, retail and tourism, are still far from recovery and with many staff being laid off or underemployed. The economic pressure has led to a lot of domestic abuse and social problems with women and children being greatly affected.
Pope Francis pointed out that when Jesus says that “the poor you will always have with you,” it is an invitation to people to people to take the opportunity to practise acts of charity. It is worth noting that acts of charity are not the same as the acts of giving. For some people, almsgiving runs the risk of gratifying those who do it. It is occasional and givers may feel that they have already helped to alleviate the misery of the impoverished. However, acts of charity should involve mutual sharing, which is enduring.
Mutual sharing involves almsgiving in terms of wealth or materialistic needs. More importantly, it involves sharing love and life with others. Many priests, nuns, and even lay preachers, go far to some unfamiliar places to selflessly serve the poor and even sacrifice their own lives. They do not work for fame, wealth or return. Instead, their acts are undertaken out of love for God and their willingness to stay with the poor.
In the face of today’s Covid-19 pandemic, this charitable spirit of sharing is evident in the healthcare workers. Despite their worries and fears, they selflessly look after patients. They deserve our respect.
Nonetheless, many people still remain unconcerned and indifferent towards the plight of the poor, refusing to hear the cries of our brothers and sisters. In fact, the gulf between rich and poor countries can be seen the severely disproportionate distribution of vaccines.
On this World Day of the Poor, take action on three levels. At the personal level, we may read the papal messages and write down our reflections. We may make some sacrifices and offerings. We may also teach our children not to be wasteful and help the needy with what we have saved. At the level of society, those in authority can consider the outcomes of poverty alleviation measures and quickly find relevant solutions. At the world level, all world leaders must come together to fight against the culture of indifference and injustice, and change the individualistic way of thinking to prevent the marginalisation of the poor.
In Hong Kong, the Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs organised the Seven Day Poverty in Prayer Campaign, which advocates experiencing what life is like for the poor, and thinking about the issue of poverty through prayer and reflection. The commission also organised a gathering for the exchange of views and a Mass this Sunday afternoon. The poor still suffer from the extremely severe consequences of the pandemic. “It is especially urgent to offer concrete responses … Poverty is not the result of fate; it is the result of selfishness.” [Pope Francis, Message for the World Day of the Poor] SE
