Meditate on God’s Word

Serving the Hidden Form of Poverty

In 1926, Pope Pius XI declared that the second last Sunday in October would be World Mission Sunday, a day in which the entire Church renews its missionary commitment and prays for the missions. When we think of the missions in the church, we often think about those striving to spread the Gospel in remote areas ravaged by poverty.

How often do we aspire to do great things for the church while neglecting the loneliness experienced by those in our parish communities and homes? This is a question we should prayerfully take to heart and then seek ways to act as loving stewards towards our neighbour. One tremendous, albeit often undervalued, act we can offer someone in need is a genuine smile. St. Teresa of Calcutta exhorts us saying, “let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is
the beginning of love.”

From this initial act of love we can begin to offer the gift of our time to others, journeying with them in their trials and suffering. The gift of our time can take the form of visiting the sick in hospitals, the elderly in nursing homes or the imprisoned. Moreover, it can also be practiced by going out of our way to speak to parishioners who could use support, whether because of the arrival of a new child, a new job, a death in the family or any other reason.

Summary

When we think of the missions in the church, we often think about those striving to spread the Gospel in remote areas ravaged by poverty. However, in our secular society there is rampant poverty all around us, for according to St. Teresa of Calcutta, “the most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” Let us begin to realize that missionary activity is fostered close to home and begins with a smile that can lead us to generously share our time with the parish community as true stewards of Christ.

https://www.archtoronto.org/stewardship