“Blessed is he who considers the poor” (Psalm 41:1)
August 25, 2021
The fundamental rations in human’s life are ‘Water, Food, Clothing and Shelter’ and thus we all shall possess them. Unfortunate to the poor for they live without the necessities of life whom have also severe tribulations, illness, disabled, orphaned and elders without caregivers.
Holy Church teaches laities to help those needy consequent to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, feeding the hungry and healing the maimed and the possessed during the apostasy era. Saint Apostles restated Jesus Christ’s teaching, when claiming “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
Onwards the preaching’s of Lord Jesus Christ and Saint Apostles, the Church, its clergy and faithful aid the needy. As Prophet David said, “Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble,” it is in a good will that we must help them. (Psalm 41:1)
Accord, Lord Jesus Christ have said, “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind. It is also written in the Matthew’s Gospel, “Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Luke 14:13, Matthew 19:16-22)
In fact, Holy Scriptures, Patristic fathers and righteous consider helping the needy as worthy as martyrdom. Saint John Chrysostom said, “Let the one fast, and deny himself, and be a martyr, and be burnt to death, but let another delay his martyrdom for his neighbor’s edification; and let him not only delay it, but let him even depart without martyrdom; who will be the more approved after his removal hence? We need not have many words, nor a long circumlocution. For the blessed Paul is at hand, giving his judgment, and saying, “To depart and to be with Christ is better, nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you;” even to his removal unto Christ did he prefer his neighbor’s edification. For this is in the highest sense to be Christ, even to be doing His will, but nothing is so much His will, as that which is for one’s neighbor’s good.” (Saint John Chrysostom, Homily 77 on the Gospel of Saint Matthew)
The act of giving or helping and alms giving, is for both the giver and receiver. Regarding, the Lord said “Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38)
In helping the poor properly, we must first identify the needy and then provide the necessary assistance; this can be done by identifying those who are disabled in are an affliction from various diseases and illnesses, and those who need help.
May God accept our alms; Amen