CHAPTER w The Poor in the Church According oe assesment of PCPA prs, rh is cc thsi oval Sng be Ghee pone’ Hearst ei peer encur vies and mish inbasute FoR bow), g “Chart ofthe poor” is nota strategy of & Church his Josing the poor. isa sgn of renewal ae wil mpact on visio and misan ofthe Chur cane is ely nt cl radon ond ne feo Jessa ery Char The Ola Testament tla from revelation tht God chose rae tb people note ‘eo thelenst ofall peoples (eat 77) Nevins ita Sullandenstved ation Cou chee irate 4nd make the Bearer of hs seven to te ratens fortunes of Iae underwent viceiads pening a {ely or incite Lard Bat ea th po lays served as themes ofthe people sd seeds ofreneval a Tesus and the Poor Jesuscame,bornofa woman who wasoneof then (the poor of Yahwe, He was bor in povesty, mania “Hisministry was characterize by special preerenceor the poor. nis programunai speech at Nazareth es “The Spirit of he Lee wpon me Tecnu he has anointed me {0 ring gla tidings othe poor (Lk 418, He hus inked his messiahship with his mney to the poor ‘The material poor, fst ofa He called them blessed (Lk (620), He coset ive ke thar He had nowhere ay his Ind (LA 98, He died ike them, an even ins way woes Unmost—strppedraked andavictimofinusice Hechose the preaching ofthe Gospel tothe por a one ofthe sign of ‘vs messanie idenity (Lk. 7:22) A eso lose ented hineirwidh dh mately poor tat whateveris done tothem, 'Sddave to Christ himeel 25-40) “The soilyporalso. Lopes were among the sll pot, ‘They couldnotminglewith lean people Touching Heh ae one unclean: But mh ofthe misty’ of fhe Lor dealt wily leper (Mt 81-4 He didnot hese to ouch a leper who ‘shed foracure Tenothershecured roma stance(Lic 1711 (3) Heacepted aninaton teat with San the eer 266) Agunshemade thedlearsingofepersanauthetiing sign of is messahp (Lk 723) “The publics wer als socially pooe. They. were a de- spisd group, fortwo reasons tey were reputed beech Ingthemsevesthrogh exorbitant colton and, pechaps ‘ever Worse, they were regarded as clldboratory, since they \werecoleting mone ortheRomanappressors utd Lord Joined the publcans in ther meas (Ek 183), even invited Ihise othe home of Zacchatus the tx colton (Lk). He ale at astanather-—Levi-tobe a cssiple LL 527. 2, Pn mn“Themoalypooraboveal These werethose wh broke tuo wh knew nthng about he at fests ge then, te with em Ine, he didnt disdain he compa Ident newasecondamonghe wicked (Li 2:7. di ‘etween two eves (Lk 23:33), He showed himself forgiv to simers, encouraging thelr repentance, He shoxked trees by forgiving sins (e928), oF by leting & ‘Woman ouch him (ie 7699), He osifed his ences nner by saying tat he had come to call snes, not Fightcous so repentance (Mk 217) Jesus aso showed a preference to te ite ones in soxiey of his time, “The Samaras were despa bythe Jews. Tey had no sci deatngowit theSemararsvtom the looked pon as ‘Sorupted voce witha corrupted Jewish eigion But he BSspet poray Jesus desing with Samaritans favorably 1 seastoa domaitaoman hth fist reves insets the Means Gn 42520) Iwasa Samaritan whom he used 352 Ince ofbothetylove (Le 1028-7-OF the tenlepersheale ‘pfu, erly one returned to give thanks, and Ne wa & ‘Siaritan (Li 17.1519) esus did napproveof de tite ‘fthetwo sons of Thunder who would have called fit fal. ‘Sown fom heave to consume an inhospitable Semaritan Silage (Uk 981-5). He thas gave an importance to the “Samaritans which the Joes of his ume didnot accord hen. “The Centles too, erenet looked upontinly bythe ews “Though God meant aac oben his revedaton tthe Gen~ ‘lo tany Jews bocameinsular in their mentality. The sv ‘ch Center wast ems ota paramount concern But herd put the Genes in te ineight nthe Copel Rr Mary it two gees — the centurion whose servant Jesus Cre (85-13) and te persistent Caaaite woman Mt B21a8)— whowe faith fe most highly praise by Jesus 10 Marks Coopelits the Roman centurion who makesa peofes- io ah (Mh 1529) that azalles Peter's The Meg who se Ceniles are after the shepherds the ist seckars of Jesus. john telus of some Greeks who also want ose ‘hn of course, the Gospel according to Matte ends with 8 trssionng to al he ati Women were also amg the marginalized people in the iment Jesus Tey were thought tbe eo to men. rabbi rms nok even suppowed to alk to his wife in public. The {ctimony ofa woman wasnt considered vali beforeJewish court of law. But ens showed great esac woman “a daughter of Abahaay” (Lc 1316), He allowed ‘omen tomer ohm (Le 81) They showed themseves owe symptheticand brave than bemendissplesduringthe ‘ronlon And he chose them wo be he fist nesses of esurection Iti Jesus atitude that root the Pauline “Mirmotion that thereineittermalenor female Weareallone inch ese (Gal 3:28) At ally, chien, These are trl litle pepe. ‘the dsiples would not have allowed them tobe brought io [eos but Jesus was indigant as. He sld: "Lethe ite Silden come tome and forbid them ot, for he Kingdon of (Goa belongs to such as hese” (Mk. 1013-14), Hemaea ithe ‘Git the mode of dcipetp. Uness we be converted and iecomelielitle cde, we shallot enter the Kingdom of Heaven he eens (M181) for women, calinga sick ‘Ando wescelsus theSavic ofl showing forthe pot the despied he marginalize, the nobody's ‘The Church end the Poor ‘HisChurh showed the same kindof preference Wehave indications tit the early converts were usually anny is ‘Works ite ones The early Jerusalem community ad neSand the fats (1 Cor: 1262). “Tae ony condition given forthe misioning Barnabas tothe pagans waste should be mind the oor, he very ng whch Pal wanted to 0 (a 210) 53), andlookedafter the poor the nately oor, the morally poorina special way in Pooesnatagionieationafpovery and weakness Buds ‘mean a re-examination an relatvzation of possessions an power-—twa.of the fremet Filipino vahie ‘WePipinos end tolcok up tothe rich andthe powerful “Mayaman tals” (cand power) arto leet ‘hinge you can ay ofa lipo, Phere an inordinate desire forthese values ofyimanand fas which tantamount to idolatry. Many peopl are wing to make scrifees and to ‘erie elabonahpa, consent and other peopl for the of wealth oe power. We shall ook now ito the Christan ie about posses Possessions and the Danger They Pose Possessions are good for they come fom God. “God saw alte had made nd indeed ins very good (en 130) ‘Go wantshumanbings osharein egos ofthe “ratte eartvand congue i (Gen 128). The Cvs del ‘sforasmanyasporsbietenjoy the right prvatepropert. Dutnither the righto possessions nor wealth arean end Inthemoeives Weare “tokave mare todomreinordertobe ‘more ls notwhathehasbutwhatheisatrakesa person (C5,n0.38, Auumemay.comevhan “having more” nokenger hips a person become more, A man normally has to have tough food, thing and sale inorder So develop, bul faving these tings and much moce doesnot guarantee fll oman development ‘The relativity both of possessions aed of the cht to private property should be impressed on the “haves” of Fripp soley. Ths i made neensary ae urgent by tbe poverty ofthe majority — poverty whichis ocd in the Inabity ofa minety to share ore than in the incapacity OF nr‘wlpaldown ny bons and badge ones, and toe ‘oy phinand my gods ine a Ty 90M ‘Somer ake Us easy, ent dink, havea good time” Nate tat in his prj therein com fr the fnd love of neighbor as esl (Uh 1025-28, In his lee Prjetthereis room oy for tngs ~ “bier barns” and fot ST" "take thngs easy, eat drink and Rave a good time ‘There leno mention of ether Cox o fellow human beng He already spitally dead ste tl pyskally alive poor. Many rich people, despite thei riches, stil dep Srorkers of east wage James 8). Preaching tothe Rich Inthe Phlppinestoday,thereisaniuentand ful minority that nods ton the following Chistian us 1) Gad eeted the word and everyting init forthe good ‘every human Being. As people work ae lve in justice and ‘haty nothing shouldbe ac forthe decent ura iv ‘of any individual ce fay (GS, no. 69) 2) The value of person’ life does nt eins posesionsa person is worth ‘ore for what eis than for what he as 3)t profits person thing to gain the whele world ihe kes is elie (Mt 16:26) and, therefore) we sould seek ste Kindo of (God and his jstice mowing that we do s0 our Hewenly Father willntflltoprovdefor ur materia needs (ME 63) “The rchtavetobe warned ofthe dangers thatch pore, which ee re fo ut eo 8 eel ps {rough he ee «nee an ora kh ma went the Kingdom of Gea” (1725). he language othe vps Seem 0 indi tte satan ors rt man fe ‘rnc tevin conception an bit of Chast. {Tote pl fr metre os fr Cn Compare wiht 139) Foe the ich salvation wil ome only they share wha ney haveto meet teed the or, helene oF te Lies brothers and sisters. ‘Ths sharing today comes not only of Primarily in the form of dole outs bat rough such ing Investments to create employment and the payment of ust {axes and jst wages so ut wealth may be restau “These who havegatten jot gainilrecevesalvationonly they make reparation and restitution. Weshouldawte tat was cnly afer Zacchacus, the toll, decded io ive Ilo his maney 0 he poor an restore fourfold what he nh have ston that our Lod sai "Today salvation has ‘ome this vse” (Lk 199) Inordertoliveas meabeesof he Church ofthe por, the richdonotneedto become por, But ey doneed tpt he trastnotin money butte Lord and hey havetobepro poor ‘The reminder ef St Paul tothe eich reins elevance “instruct thase who are ch this ols od ha hy should nate proud and should ether hopes noton money, ‘whichisuntastworthy bute Goda gives anna hat ‘renee fr out happiness. Tey are todo good and be chin od Works, generous in giving nd always ready tose TT ae‘The Role ofthe Poor ‘The poor too nee to play thee pat inthe Chucho poor. Fast ofall they haveto ld Usaslves ofthe wrong that God wants them remain poe. tsa Go's wl ‘anyone of is cde shoud be habitaly lacking in ncesie fie. To shanty dels Bra, Pope fob emphatically sid "Do notsay that God's wil at ‘evan inacondton f poverty ins, hey {hut is contrary in many ways 10 your digty as Numa ersors, Donot say tis God whole (PCPA pa Before im Vatican I aleady asserted". every man fas "ight to possess 3 sufcent mount of te ar goods ince and hs fay” (65,06), “The poor mast also erase rom thei minds the ata aterm eh ete: ae mew poor garyanang bay. Hoang suerte ko (Clifeistike tat Thsismy ft" Iisnatfatebut God svi Providence hat rules he world, the fatalism or zines ofthe poor themseves. And finaly il ‘sue fo the habitual patter of human interaction ‘ures of sin that are bom of els fatal or anes 1 ‘The poor need to struggle against poverty in onde ob berated rot They must bee pray gents he ‘members the Christian community ned to serve the ibe ton ofthe poo, in elaboration withthe pooe themselves, Sic car ut th station of poverty a wich the ity of Flin are numerse is oer) te obits the dty oft Char adhe Cestancomemaity {oat inthis eration rom over. Preaching tothe Poor ever hs work of berton shoal never give the themes at yw ot be abe oy Map Scand tesla ofthe Lond uns they ae st fl iterated fen ther poverty To ve hs peso the [por nhose bran we stk thoes nti For Christian eration isnot onl or primi beration from material or socal poverty. Is Best ofall ation Toa facta Pieppine ie ha there are many pot people wharf happier and more truly fe than many rh People, Therese pr people who sre already happy inspite Gi their poverty They have bea able to arscend their ‘mater poverty and foc thei attendon onthe Lord and on ‘hee fellw humembeings in wu Iiberting way Love after isthe greatest Hoerton, Wher loves peep are rly fre, fr hey have te Hely Spit whois abs the Spin of freedom (C317), And ove avaiable tal even ad Perhaps spec the poor “The Church cannot and must not postpone te preaching ‘of the Caspl tothe poor un hey have been erated rom theirmatenal poverty fritstbeCospelwhichisthestrongest force for liberation, and brings the por happiness event poverty wilemotvatngthemostoggleagaistspoverty Athich arms thei human dignity eisaRer allo the per tha the Gospels preached, scoring © the Lord (Lk 72). “Tothe por aloit must be said hat wemust ist eek the ing Gland is jstie. But the Kingdom of God ‘mente submission to God's commana that we should dom‘Toseok the Kingdom of Gods als thee the Case Src Meet ste a ica sea i yl tes heey Ch i Whodoes notwanttoworkshouldnaten i mgardh material tings we sould ber ane rdw ad oa he of Cosh theme of deuce a uo wh ing he ee ‘masini te ur Cos-gen asa aes Nemaiethewar potter leather Butoald uhnaste ugh hare nana {uloesotie ough got eer ee fw bona es Liberating Ministers For the presci pooetabe Bivezgws Ponta Sin es armor ining Ciensercte ‘squalid greed for money" (Tim. 38). | a old wehavenone.."butcaninvobethenssneoffsus withthe Suthonty tat comes fom lene union ih im ek Ate 3 Cy [Need to Re-rient Power Powers the oe Philippine value that We ned to r= ‘vet inthe Philippines those who rein poster seen oe shove he peoples Power i power ever the people Utori= ‘ately, powers onente by the power holders themes 0 theirownbeneitorthebeneht of tose who are deta ten, ‘evento the detriment ofthe consnon good. Ths, heer of power become manipulative or oppressive. One ofthe hit Rasonsforthelack af progressincurcountryisthssetsuse ot power by power heldets and tr ingroup. Jesus, the Church, and Political Potcer Jesus recogrzed the legacy’ of political power His “pay to Caesat what belongs to Caesar — and God what belongs o God” implies an acknowledgment ofthis epi racy. The ealy Chistian likewise were asked toy the overning authorities For "eet no authority except rom Go and so whatever authoatyexstchave en apport by God” (Rom 13:se¢ 1 Pet 2191) Palsaid hat the polite suri see to serve God (Rom 130), and hereterred ovemment officals as the agents of God (Rom. 13). Chis. fans were also exited t pray for linge and others in authority (Tim 2, But Jesus knew that politcal authority could be opps sive He ad oe scp, "You now tat san {ies te rll over anderen alee Sho fe 2025) The rd over than Pomaacefropecter tekeccomotbesajess te Fake i autor fae ears he se of power ft oes° ‘We Foon He cnn Sselsh interests He showed sovereign independence in his attitude towards Herod Antipas (Lk 99; 1251-8). ‘Theearly Church also knew that politi authority ould ‘become a tot of the ei powers, fort was the ules of is Yor who ruc the Lord glory (I Cor 268) Jesus {retold hathis disciples would be dragged before governors and kings for his sake (1038; MU S112 and Ch 62, 23 an that was ined the experienc of te ty Church as we can glean from the Acts ofthe Apostle and the Book of Revelation Jesus wanted his followers to cxercisepomerina way that {anrasted Wwith the oppresiv usage of ths world’s flees “Ammon you tis sotto happen: No, aayone wih wan _great among you must be your servant and anyor who ‘want tobefstameng yourustbe your slave (Me 202627), ‘And what he taught them be exemplified in his cwn, person: “theSonofMancamenottobessrvedbut tucrve,ad {0 give up his Me asa ransom for stot serv eh precy te on deeply his power: “Jesus knew ta the Father pores ‘ing nto is hands" a. 13-15), Poe ithiesuspowerwastobousedoserveinaservice which was an expression of love. Thus, the Church sees the ffi ‘omnutted tthe pastors of Cht’s people as "in the srt sense ofthe term, service, whichis ced ery exprestively in sacred scipurea dak or mise (et AGS HI? and 29, 2419; Rom. 11:1; 1 Tim 12) And today, PCP TT sees or, Gained ministers as servantleaders ofthe Chistian rity. This this couna’s preered may of sen Cts "epresetalives in relation to We Civitan commun ‘The Church's Witness qh urchin ne Piping yl wore th pan atte towarcs power and authoety by vig scone ‘ity that conrate wath the wodd where endecap oe Ieans domination ard patronage. The ordained misters Frstofal but alte regous aed ay ath should show inhi iterelaionship snd in ther interaction with the ‘wor that what matters snot 0 much the poston ane hls 1s the sincerity of one's erie, the competence with which ‘eperformsit and elove which nspiresit They shold ese ever sacred power or chim they have forthe tla husan developmen, the adwvement of stir, and he tainmentr peaceby our peopl. Inthe se ofthis power care Should be taken to prose dhe legitimate freedom of each person and group even ofthese Who do not agree wih te Gare When the Christian community projects power and au ‘ety as endowment fr vericeinthecommanty, they wil be able to persuasively demand such an attitude fom Hast who el patti power in sel ‘To be the Church ofthe poor isto be such a contrast ‘sommuiy ofthe Option tb the Community of Mts Diet he Cah of the Poor ‘Toit te oa mao ing ey osaconmarty ofdileandthehurchtthe poor ‘ cFauanie gabe rte Me sed mina oe hurtin ilppines stan servesana ceive pipe ore Churn te Pilppns ram pow on An logy dp usundestnd espace fths ice ‘Toke a your man who isting to discover wit Got‘wants him tobecome, Hecan iter marey or remain singin the weld or Become apiest or religous Before he makes ‘Sholeragantng is vention, his actos wllbechaacterized inyncerti tentativness nd pehaps even ambivalence For ‘ample he maybe ery trendy gels bt wil hesitate to propseloany gl Hemaytlivinginasenunaryoreligous Frowe fraocnetine ut ell not defisvely lave isomer ‘work until dectestobecomea presto rigous Butence fe decdesto becomes priest, the he wl Rave to align all of Fissubscuent decisions with hat directive choice All ofhis Subset actions ought be consistent with the apiration tobea priest. ‘TeChurcha RCP madeairectiveoice sna tothe decison to Become pret take bythe Young man i oor txample Fromno on the decsions inaction of be Church Inte Thippins and especlly ofr eaders,bthay an Sstialshoad beahgoed with that ciectivechice Beco tent wih and promotes relation Pautestorans an ‘Srna the sucesso flue ofthe post CPI Church by ‘Sling "Wtdecsowandactonsdidthe pest FCPCharch take vondertobscetrly aconmmntyofteversandthe ‘Ghurchof te poor? Medien movements, crpaniations fret ministries of the Church have from now on car ‘ference porto verve as focus ofall ther endenvors. When the tnd slur ured i the Char nthe Pp pues must ast this question to what extent have we tray EiSinca community of hints isles ad Chr ofthe poor? al ts is impo in the movment sntee pro- ounce theCounlparicpas afer dcscrbingte Church 12s eommuniy of Chet’ disciples and the Church of the ans he ind of Crch ei al ait, we Frpe would emerge asthe fut ofthis Coun” (PCP Mesege. CHAPTER wt Renewed Evangelization Tre awe spnitof FCP range Coun vara clatoncallsevmngeat enone ‘lean tal evangeliatin The pest Pope sepia oan evnge- leat reeranglenunt FCP eee a al Jenging us to a renewed evangelization. ber Everyone mast be Evangelized Ths ened evangelion hs sve dist fs ture. First iti eal to everyone fo receive evangelization guzinand contndowsl. The Chutchand lis membersmast be constantly evangelize. Fach of us ust hear agin aa sxtinanddeepennourmidsandhearathe ieee ‘our ressens for believing hoping ad loving Time and time again we must celebrate the Faith we profess No cn "exempted fom this enewed an ever deepening aceepnce ‘ofthe Gospel. The Second Plenary Coun pons aut at fot persons who havebeen converted arene cates s the first element ofa renewed evangelization PCPA, par 158). JnihePhiippines wecinnt ake or grate oluebect apd ae en evened ys tae been pian nian do noteree non eee ‘hy tu fat Mary xen ang tose wha bn te adits f faith, would be vary hl pat anonting the Suestn:Doyouknaw nus hs Tey aveparap Fell made a personal act of ath inne Lond oes ee Bernal ace ath tt dng ne ee est vegezaton and catches Reto, any of se oe catchze may not eveniuve made yets prs set ade