A Christmas prayer: Put the poor first

[somone]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46772.html

A Christmas prayer: Put the poor first
By ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY DOLAN

They could be the most somber, chilling words ever recorded: “because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2 -7).

This great country, which calls itself “Judeo-Christian,” recognizes the divine in those who are poor, struggling or left out — those for whom there is “no room in the inn.” Pope Benedict XVI explains, “Love of God and love of neighbor have become one: In the least of the brethren we find Jesus, and in Jesus we find God.”

This Christian moral imperative flows from the prophets of Israel, who measured a righteous society not by income or power but by how the widow, orphan and alien were treated. This solicitude for the poor echoes among our Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu neighbors, as well as those of good will who do not profess a belief in God.

This beautiful season’s warm sense of sharing and charity brings out the best in us. Our churches and service-organizations are in overdrive. The outpouring of compassion, food for the hungry and gifts for those in need is essential. But, soberly, still not nearly enough. Those who gaze in awe on the cave of Bethlehem also sense an obligation to make our nation more just, our economy more fair, our world more at peace.

At this time of economic turmoil, the poor too often seem to be missing from our national conversation and decisions. The poor reflect the face of the divine; the poor have a name. They are our neighbors, our fellow citizens. The poor, Dorothy Day noted are not “cases” but our cousins...

[CBHagman]

1. Thanks for posting.

And let's make 2011 a better year.

[InvisibleTouch]

2. A little off-topic, but...

..."no room for them at the inn" turned out to be a good thing, IMO. The kid got to be born in a stable surrounded by warm and friendly animals (how much better than an unheated cubicle among strangers), and there was plenty of space for the ensuing parade of well-wishers and gift-bearers. Yes, I know the whole thing is an allegory and almost certainly not a historical fact, but still ... what a lovely image, to be born among the animals in the stable and to forge a connection from the first breath with the diversity of sentient life. We all should have been so lucky. Just saying.