Psalm Reflection: The Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

“The Lord hears the cry of the poor.” - Psalm 34

The United States makes up a little less than 5% of the world population, yet we consume 17% of the world’s energy and resources. 

Every day, we throw away three times the amount of food needed to feed all the hungry in the world that day.

There is a problem here.

We do not have to apologize for where we were born, but we do have a responsibility as Christians to recognize what we have been given and see it as a gift from God that can bless others. Everything we have received is a gift, and gifts are meant to be given.

Saint Mother Teresa was once asked why God allows so many people suffer and go hungry. She simply replied, “He doesn’t, we do.” We are our brother’s and sister’s keepers, and we have a responsibility as members of the Body of Christ to not only take care of ourselves, but to look out for others. When one member of the Body suffers, the entire Body suffers (Matthew 25:31-46, 1 Corinthians 12:26).

As I read the Psalm for this Sunday, I cannot help but wonder:

When God hears the cries of the poor, am I the reason they are crying out?

To answer their prayers, would God have to take from me in order to give to them?

Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?

We have a faith that is true, good and beautiful. However we cannot resign ourselves to fulfillment in one area at the neglect of the others:

We experience the beauty of our faith through prayer, worship and the Sacraments. But if this is all we focus on, we diverge into liturgical factions and bicker about the right ways to pray or say the Mass and we lose sight of how and why these things relate to our daily lives.

We experience the truth of our faith through study and formation. But if this is all we focus on, we become consumed by apologetic or moral debates and trying to prove others wrong. Instead of leading others into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, we become legalistic like the Pharisees.

We experience the goodness of our faith by serving others and in works of social justice. But if this is all we focus on, we get swept up into the bandwagon of the latest social issue without doing our research and bringing it to prayer to discern how God is calling us serve.

We need all three. We need to pray and worship, we need to learn, and we need to but that prayer and knowledge into action through works of mercy.

Which one of these are you lacking a focus on in your own life?

What can you do this week to grow, learn or serve in that area?

As we reflect on hearing the cries of the poor this week, ask yourself: 

Do I actually hear them or am I unaware of their needs?

Do I acknowledge the poor in the midst of my life or do I avoid their gaze?

Do I spend time with them or am I too busy with things that are for myself?

Do I give or serve in meaningful and consistent ways, or just when it is convenient and easy?

There is so much you can do, and so much more to be done to serve our brothers and sisters in need in our neighborhoods and around the world:

Pray for guidance and discernment so God will show you the ways you need to serve. 

Fast from things you do not need in order to consume less.

Waste less food and start recycling or compositing at home.

Invest in reusable items to waste less plastic.

Buy climate-friendly household products and from sustainable companies whenever possible.

Contribute to your parish collections and food pantry.

Get involved in service ministries or local organizations that combat poverty and homelessness.

Do something.

We have more than we need, and we will have to justify how we used (or failed to use) that abundance when we come before Jesus at the end of our lives. 

I pray that I can confidently render a full account of my stewardship to God at my judgment (Luke 16:2) and I hope to hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant…. come, share your master’s joy” (Matthew 25:21).

What about you?

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt