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brendan1986
Guest
I was thinking this today. What exactly would Pope Francis mean by poor?
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Indyann
Guest
According to the commentator on EWTN, she said this was a mistranslation and should have been translated as “humble church”. She made this comment this AM before the Mass at St. Anne’s.
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Supliant
Guest
Does anybody know what language he spoke in, and what the words he used were?
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brendan1986
Guest
Alright thanks!
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GaryTaylor
Guest
Latin and Spanish. No I don’t have the text. Poor is used in context of spiritual virtue, descend so you may help others ascend. Meet people where they are, not where you are. That’s how I took this.
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JRKH
Guest
Not to contradict any of the fine answers above…But (as is my habit) I reversed your title question…
How can a rich church help the poor?
This might give us something to ponder for then we must ask:
“What constitutes rich”? and, “How does one become rich”? etc…
Asking ourselves such questions can help give some perspective.
Peace
James
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andy92
Guest
Seems to been spoken in English as of this section:
On that note I don’t know about a mistranslation. But I do agree *Blessed are the poor in spirit * is what he meant. A prideful Church cannot stand upon itself.
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Sirach2
Guest
So many of our saints have written about the importance of detachment as an important requisite for holiness. One may be rich in actuality, but if he is attached to his riches and seeks to accumulate more of them, like the foolish man in the gospel who wanted to build more barns, then grace is not able to influence such a one. If we use our riches to be a blessing to others, it would be most pleasing to God and in accord with His will.
Let us not spread false reasoning that he plans to despoil the Church of her many treasures.
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Steve_Jay
Guest
Hello Brendan,
an interesting question.
Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 7:9
"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
John 6:51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
A person can have their belly filled and appear to be rich. They live a life that is an illusion. They might be starving. The one who has the Bread that came down from heaven is by far the richer. So in Christ, the “poor” may be the ones who feed the seemingly rich.
A church with Christ in it can’t be poor.
God bless you.
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Christy_Beth
Guest
In one of Pauls letters to one of the churches (forgive me for not remembering exactly which one at the moment) Paul commended them for sending him and/or others some financial support despite the fact that they, themselves, were poor. We need to offer out of what we have. Even if it’s just a little. “Give till it hurts,” comes to mind. But, really, even if the church can’t help financially, they might have the time and talent to help it other ways.
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DexUK
Guest
I think in the context of a ‘poor’ Church, it is probably necessary to reflect on the Franciscan concepts of ‘that which is necessary’ and ‘that which is useful’.
My instinct is that Pope Francis means that the Church should avoid unnecessary stuff. Note his simplicity in his style… look at his shoes: they’re not red. I expect they’re the same ones he arrived from Argentina in.
If the interpretations are correct, we will be seeing a modest Church - modesty in pomp and ceremony, modesty in presentation to the world.
My instinct is that Pope Francis means that the Church should avoid unnecessary stuff. Note his simplicity in his style… look at his shoes: they’re not red. I expect they’re the same ones he arrived from Argentina in.
If the interpretations are correct, we will be seeing a modest Church - modesty in pomp and ceremony, modesty in presentation to the world.
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pnewton
Guest
Spiritual poverty as in “poor in spirit” reflected in outward signs. I think we will find in the papacy that a little sackcloth and ashes mentality will bring us joy. It is this “blessedness” that the Church can bring to the poor.
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DaveBj
Guest
I certainly don’t know what he was thinking, but here’s what I think when I consider this subject. Imagine what it would be like if I were clearing $1M a year after taxes (I wish!), and if I were living on $50k a year and putting $950k a year into relief of the poor. Someone who looked at my life style would say that I was poor. It’s all about being a conduit – you receive what comes in and direct it where it’s needed – rather than a reservoir – you receive what comes in and hang onto it. I don’t know if this is what Pope Francis means, but to me, it makes sense.
Oddly enough, this (conduit, not reservoir) is precisely what a lot of the “prosperity gospel” teachers propound. Unfortunately, not all of them live like it.
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Sirach2
Guest
I heard a reflection on this recently, where the rivers from Sea of Gallilee flow south, providing life-giviing waters for the nation. OTOH, the Dead Sea is self-contained, flowing nowhere, and is unable to bring life. Our intake must flow outward or else we become dead seas.
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DaveBj
Guest
Good analogy. Those “prosperity preachers” I’ve heard who have their heads screwed on straight say something similar: If you hold on to what comes in to you, it will stagnate.
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Arrependida
Guest
Yes, a rich church can help the poor.
Only a rich church can employ masons and roofers and electricians, etc to build beautiful and magnificent churches for the glory of God. Only a rich church gives out commisions to artists to create the marvels of western civilization we find in Europe and Latin America, and that nowadays do not only inspire conversions but also foster tourism in poor countries.
On a personal note, my husband is an artist and we are below poverty line here in America. He was given a commision by a church to make a beautiful silver processional cross for the church and this job fed us for a month. I myself have spent 2 weeks working on an ornate processional canopy for the very same catholic church. I have put so much love into it. i think the community now will think it is too ornate to be used in the new "poor"church we are being forced into.
Our priest was converted back into catholicism and decided to enter the seminary after a convertion experience trigered by the beauty of the Catholic Church ( I mean the physical artistic beauty) Remember God is not only truth and goodness but also speaks through his infinite beauty.
Guess that in this new phase of the church we will be going to go back to the estetics of the felt banners and wooden cups (it already started in my parish). So much for the use of my time, God given talent and Treasure!
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JRKH
Guest
Not to dismiss the rest of your post…but just to address this aspect.
This is very true…but is it a “Rich Church” that does this, or a Church that has sufficient funds…
I know that this sounds like a subtle difference - but it ties in with the idea of what constitutes “rich”. I’m sure that your parish did not sneak down to their underground vault full of gold to get the money to pay you and your husband or the roofers and masons and others that you reference above.
One becomes “rich” by retaining that which one acquires…The Church tends to work more as a “conduit” for money than as a keeper of money.
At least this is one aspect of the matter.
Peace
James
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