In a recent interview, actor George Clooney was asked what he hoped he would give to his children as a legacy. He said that he hoped they would stand up to and challenge those in power and help those who had no power. This desire strongly reflects God’s preferential option for the poor.
This phrase was coined around the time of Vatican II (1962) as the Latin American liberation theologians spoke out against the injustices done towards the poor. It has been a core part of Catholic Social Teaching ever since. The Methodists tend to not use the phrase, although their position on outreach and social action is strongly oriented in this direction. Episcopalians will preach solidarity with the poor and we are often very strong on social action, but we shy away from “the meek shall inherit the earth” because it tends to separate the un-meek from the meek.
Let’s get two things straight about this. First, we shouldn’t spiritualize this by saying that the poor are those who are “poor in spirit.” From Genesis to Revelation, “poor” means people who have little or no economic, social, or military power. Often, they are oppressed and abused by those who have power. Secondly, God’s Preferential Option for the Poor (POP) is neither a political movement nor is it Marxist as Pope Benedict asserted. The bible clearly shows that this is the work, teaching, lives and sacrifices of the prophets and Jesus.
We could spend all day citing bible verses about this. What got me going was Psalm 72 from Morning Prayer today.
2That he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice. …
4He shall defend the needy among the people; *
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor. …
12For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *
and the oppressed who has no helper.
13He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
Of course, Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel’s announcement that she would bear the son of God became one of the most ancient Christian hymns in the bible. Here is what she said. (in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer Coverdale translation)
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
…
He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. …
We would do well to ground our attitudes and behavior on the words of Jesus. “Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these [the poor], you have done it to me.”