by Gilfredo Marengo
Pontifical Theological Institute John Paul II for the Sciences on Marriage and the Family
To proclaim that «The hope of the poor shall not perish for ever» (Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the Third World Day of the Poor - 17 November 2019), today, is a singularly prophetic gesture if we keep into account that the evangelical beatitude of the poor - as Francis observes - «appears even more paradoxical: the poor are always poorer, and today they are poorer than ever».
A prophetic gesture, therefore, that is completely nourished by the gaze of faith that looks at the dramatic circumstances of our present, placing them in front of God's judgement.
The various paths with which the painful experience of poverty seems to become the protagonist in our societies intertwine, without escape, with the life of families.
Many, too many families flavour its bitter taste in various moments of their existence: lack of adequate means of subsistence, fragility of relations, children separated from their parents, fear of the future and many more.
The increase of “poor” families, in which we impotently witness an invincible aggression to their lives, is right in front of us: many of them dissolve, and too many brothers of ours live “without family”.
As the Message says: «Daily we encounter families forced to leave their homeland to seek a living elsewhere; orphans who have lost their parents or were violently torn from them by brutal means of exploitation; young people seeking professional fulfillment but prevented from employment by shortsighted economic policies; victims of different kinds of violence, ranging from prostitution to the narcotics trade, and profoundly demeaned. How can we overlook, too, the millions of immigrants who fall victim to any number of concealed interests, often exploited for political advantage, and are refused solidarity and equality? And all the homeless and ostracized persons who roam the streets of our cities? » (n° 2).
This sad scenario of our time recalls the words of Zarephath of Sidon’s widow to the prophet Elijah: «I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die» (1 Kings, 17, 12). How realistic it is for many, too many families, to look with despair at the future!
For these reasons, the annual date of the Day of the Poor cannot avoid having family as primary interlocutor: families need to be accompanied to preserve in themselves the hope that shall not perish: they are incited, as well, to be surprised by the good action of God, who « “hears” their cry and “comes to their aid”; he “protects” and “defends” them; he “rescues” and “saves” them» (Message, 4).
