"The poor and the oppressor have this in common -- the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both."
- Proverbs 29:13
This passage spoke to me over and over this morning during my scripture reading. And so I want to examine what it brings to me today. God gives us the ability to see and recognize who we are, and what we do, and what others do. God gave me the ability to examine my actions and square them with what I witness in the actions of Jesus and holy people. Those eyes can glaze over and miss the poor, the needy or they can focus on what is right in front of me that requires my loving help. I can see - or not see - and I suppose that the not seeing is what makes me an oppressor.
I once heard something very wise from a Daughter of Charity who I had the pleasure to work with for many years. Sr. DeSales was one of the first people I met when I went to work for a Catholic hospital, and she gave us an orientation I have never forgotten. She said that everyone is poor in some way, that it has nothing to do with worldly goods. People who are sad, lonely, broken in spirit, in pain physically or emotionally are all poor. We sometimes cannot tell those who are poor in spirit just by looking at them. They may be wealthy with money and goods, but agonizing on the inside.
God gave me eyes to see, he gave me the ability to recognize and contemplate what I see in front of me. Whether I am poor or an oppressor - most likely some combination of the two - I have the gift of sight to distinguish the holy from the sinful.
- Proverbs 29:13
This passage spoke to me over and over this morning during my scripture reading. And so I want to examine what it brings to me today. God gives us the ability to see and recognize who we are, and what we do, and what others do. God gave me the ability to examine my actions and square them with what I witness in the actions of Jesus and holy people. Those eyes can glaze over and miss the poor, the needy or they can focus on what is right in front of me that requires my loving help. I can see - or not see - and I suppose that the not seeing is what makes me an oppressor.
I once heard something very wise from a Daughter of Charity who I had the pleasure to work with for many years. Sr. DeSales was one of the first people I met when I went to work for a Catholic hospital, and she gave us an orientation I have never forgotten. She said that everyone is poor in some way, that it has nothing to do with worldly goods. People who are sad, lonely, broken in spirit, in pain physically or emotionally are all poor. We sometimes cannot tell those who are poor in spirit just by looking at them. They may be wealthy with money and goods, but agonizing on the inside.
God gave me eyes to see, he gave me the ability to recognize and contemplate what I see in front of me. Whether I am poor or an oppressor - most likely some combination of the two - I have the gift of sight to distinguish the holy from the sinful.
