World Day of the Poor — A call to relationship, not just service
Encounter at Catholic Charities
Last Christmas, I had the opportunity to ask neighbors visiting our Food Pantry a simple question: Would you like a ham or a turkey for your holiday meal?
Thanks to a generous donation, each household could choose one.
I still remember the surprise on people’s faces. Some asked, “Really?” or “You’re joking, right?”
Others were moved to tears.
Their reactions reminded me that something as simple as having a choice can make a meaningful difference.
Each year, World Day of the Poor invites us to reflect on how we respond to neighbors experiencing poverty.
Established by Pope Francis, this observance reminds us that our Christian responsibility extends beyond meeting material needs.
It calls us to recognize the dignity of every person, build relationships and encounter Christ in one another.
Charity is often expressed through tangible acts of generosity: food, clothing, financial assistance and other essential resources.
Yet, charity also asks us to look beyond the immediate need and recognize the person behind it, someone with unique gifts and a story deserving respect.
In James 2:1–5, James challenges favoritism based on wealth or social standing.
He describes a gathering where someone in fine clothing receives special treatment while someone poor is made to feel less important.
His words confront our tendency to measure people by outward circumstances rather than inherent dignity.
James reminds us that God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.
It’s easy to overlook how much we have in common when we focus on someone’s financial circumstances rather than the person standing before us.
Poverty is a circumstance, not an identity.
It does not define a person’s character, diminish their dignity, or erase the contributions they make to their family and community.
After a year working at Catholic Charities, I’ve built personal connections with neighbors who visit our pantry.
I see them outside of work, whether at Walmart, my son’s soccer game, or simply out walking.
They’ll stop to ask how I’m doing and share what’s new in their lives.
If I miss a pantry day, some ask where I’ve been and tell me they’ve missed our conversations.
Those moments touch me deeply.
They remind me that what happens at the pantry isn’t only about the assistance we provide.
It’s also about getting to know one another and building relationships that extend into our community.
Neighbors come to Catholic Charities from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.
Some seek food or financial assistance.
Others need guidance, encouragement or someone willing to listen.
Each person brings experiences, accomplishments and hopes that cannot be captured by a financial assessment or reduced to the assistance they receive.
Through these encounters, I’ve learned that the people we serve have much to teach us.
We witness perseverance amid uncertainty, generosity in the midst of limited resources and the courage it takes to ask for help.
Compassion does not flow in only one direction; it grows through mutual respect.
This raises an important question: What if the greatest gift we offer someone is not only what we provide, but how we make them feel when they ask for help?
Seeking assistance can be vulnerable.
An encounter marked by judgment or indifference can deepen that burden.
By contrast, a welcoming presence, a willingness to listen without assumptions, and genuine respect affirm that each person matters.
In 1 Corinthians 12:26, St. Paul reminds us, “If one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
We are members of a shared community whose well-being is intertwined.
World Day of the Poor challenges us to move beyond charity as a transaction between those who have resources and those who need them.
Each of us has something to offer, and each of us, at different points in life, will need the support of others.
Recognizing this shared vulnerability deepens our understanding of service.
I think back to those Christmas meals and the neighbors who got to choose what they would share with their families.
The hams and turkeys mattered, but so did the opportunity to make a choice, exchange a few words and share in someone’s joy.
As we observe World Day of the Poor, perhaps the question isn’t simply, “What can I give?” but rather, “How can I help build a community where every person feels seen, valued and welcomed?”
Perhaps that begins by listening without judgment, taking time to know someone’s story and offering the same warmth when we meet again beyond the pantry doors.
