Brad Rozairo, OMI: This year will mark the eighth since the Pope established the “World Day of the Poor”. As has become customary, the Holy Father, after the Eucharistic celebration will have lunch with 1300 poor people. But before the celebration, he will bless 13 keys, each representing thirteen countries where the Vincentian congregation will inaugurate “13 houses” project for the poor.
“The prayer of the poor rises up to God” (Sir 21:5) is the motto for this year’s World Day of the Poor. Not just any prayer, but rather the prayer of the poor! Pope Francis in his message invites us to reflect on this motto and “read” it on the faces and in the stories of the poor we encounter daily. He also challenges us by saying “If prayer does not translate into concrete action, it is in vain; indeed, ‘faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead’ (Jas 2:17)”.
In many of our churches in Japan, there is a good practice of praying for the poor, but according to my observation, there are very few churches that translate prayer into concrete actions. One such church that I had the privilege of working for a short period was the Kobe Central Church. I was happy to be part of a volunteer group that feeds the homeless three times a week in a park. This is a concrete action which came to light, especially after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake occurred on January 17, 1995, in Kobe. It’s almost thirty years since that disaster, but the feeding program continues to this day.
Jesus was always in solidarity with the least in the society and through his encounters he gave them hope for a better future. Therefore, as “Pilgrims of Hope” (theme for the Jubilee Year 2025), let us be friends of the poor and help them find better pastures through our prayer and actions.
