The 1st reading in today’s Mass presents a medley of aphorisms, but the main point seems to be contained in the last one: “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.”
Who are the poor in my world today who cry for help? The tendency is to associate them with the economically needful and therefore say a Hail Mary for undocumented aliens, street people and the like.
But what about young people who are not being catechized in Catholic schools and parishioners in churches where the liturgy is so bad and confession not conveniently available?
And what about those who are ignorant of the moral law when it comes to the right to life and of the nature of marriage? These are the real poor.
Is there anything practical that I can do for hidden poor? Perhaps one thing among many: When I ask myself where I stand in the coming election, I shall ask the Lord for the gift of seeing who are really the poorest of the poor in our country today and of not closing my ears to their call.