Oct 13, 2008

Blog action day

When faced with the realities of poverty, we run up against a number of conflicting realities. Jesus said, "The poor will always be with you." He was right. There will never be a day when people will not be poor because of misfortune, bad choices, or exploitation. Jesus also said, in Matthew 25, that any of his followers who are not actively engaged in fighting poverty are not his followers at all. So there's that. Apparently we are called to work at fixing something we cannot fix. It's a bit of a paradox.

And of course there is the discouraging reality that the problem of poverty is so big that it overwhelms us. What do we do?

Start by thinking small. Instead of thinking of poverty, think of one poor family. Instead of trying to imagine how to change the world, try to change a life. In short, be small and local in your thinking.

Blog action day is THIS WEDNESDAY. You do not have to tell us how to change the world. But we would love to hear how you are working to help poor people in your own world. Would you consider joining bloggers around the world on Wednesday and telling your stories of working to fight poverty?