24/05/2026
Mayo 24 – Domingo
Domingo sang Pentecostes
During the 4:30PM Mass
Points for Reflection:
DILEXI TE
[ON LOVE FOR THE POOR]
CHAPTER THREE
A CHURCH FOR THE POOR
SAINT AUGUSTINE
43. Augustine’s spiritual guide was Saint Ambrose, who insisted on the ethical requirement to share material goods: “WHAT YOU GIVE TO THE POOR IS NOT YOUR PROPERTY, BUT THEIRS. WHY HAVE YOU APPROPRIATED WHAT WAS GIVEN FOR COMMON USE?” For the Bishop of Milan, almsgiving is justice restored, not a gesture of paternalism. In his preaching, mercy takes on a prophetic character: HE DENOUNCES STRUCTURES THAT ACCUMULATE THINGS AND REAFFIRMS COMMUNION AS THE CHURCH’S VOCATION.
44. Formed in this tradition, the holy Bishop of Hippo taught for his part about the preferential love for the poor. A vigilant pastor and theologian of rare insight, he realizes that true ecclesial communion is expressed also in the communion of goods. In his Commentaries on the Psalms, he reminds us that true Christians do not neglect love for those most in need: “OBSERVING YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YOU KNOW IF THEY ARE IN NEED, BUT IF CHRIST DWELLS IN YOU, ALSO BE CHARITABLE TO STRANGERS.” This sharing of goods therefore stems from theological charity and has as its ultimate goal the love of Christ. FOR AUGUSTINE, THE POOR ARE NOT JUST PEOPLE TO BE HELPED, BUT THE SACRAMENTAL PRESENCE OF THE LORD.
45. The Doctor of Grace saw CARING FOR THE POOR AS CONCRETE PROOF OF THE SINCERITY OF FAITH. Anyone who says they love God and has no compassion for the needy is lying (cf. 1 John 4:20). Commenting on Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man and the “treasure in heaven” reserved for those who give their possessions to the poor (cf. Matthew 19:21), Augustine puts the following words in the Lord’s mouth: “I RECEIVED THE EARTH, I WILL GIVE HEAVEN; I RECEIVED TEMPORAL GOODS, I WILL GIVE BACK ETERNAL GOODS; I RECEIVED BREAD, I WILL GIVE LIFE… I HAVE BEEN GIVEN HOSPITALITY, BUT I WILL GIVE A HOME; I WAS VISITED WHEN I WAS SICK, BUT I WILL GIVE HEALTH; I WAS VISITED IN PRISON, BUT I WILL GIVE FREEDOM. THE BREAD YOU HAVE GIVEN TO MY POOR HAS BEEN CONSUMED, BUT THE BREAD I WILL GIVE WILL NOT ONLY REFRESH YOU, BUT WILL NEVER END.” The Almighty will not be outdone in generosity to those who serve the people most in need: the greater the love for the poor, the greater the reward from God.
46. This Christocentric and deeply ecclesial perspective leads us to affirm that offerings, when born of love, not only alleviate the needs of one’s brother or sister, but also purify the heart of the giver, if he or she is willing to change. Indeed, in the words of Pseudo-Augustine: “ALMSGIVING CAN BE BENEFICIAL TO YOU IN ERASING PAST SINS, IF YOU HAVE AMENDED YOUR WAYS.” It is, so to speak, the ordinary path to conversion for those who wish to follow Christ with an undivided heart.
47. In a Church that recognizes in the poor the face of Christ and in material goods the instrument of charity, Augustine’s thought remains a sure light. Today, fidelity to Augustine’s teachings requires not only the study of his works, but also A READINESS TO LIVE RADICALLY HIS CALL TO CONVERSION, WHICH NECESSARILY INCLUDES THE SERVICE OF CHARITY.
48. Many other Fathers of the Church, both Eastern and Western, have spoken about the primacy of attention to the poor in the life and mission of every Christian. From this perspective, in summary, it can be said that PATRISTIC THEOLOGY WAS PRACTICAL, AIMING AT A CHURCH THAT WAS POOR AND FOR THE POOR, RECALLING THAT THE GOSPEL IS PROCLAIMED CORRECTLY ONLY WHEN IT IMPELS US TO TOUCH THE FLESH OF THE LEAST AMONG US, AND WARNING THAT DOCTRINAL RIGOR WITHOUT MERCY IS EMPTY TALK.
(Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te of the Holy Father Leo XIV to all Christians on Love for the Poor, Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 4 October, the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, in the year 2025, the first of my Pontificate)
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