The Poor
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
Duty of Lay Faithful (2442)
The Church's pastors are not called to intervene in this restructuring of political and economic life. The lay faithful must act for social reform. They must "animate temporal realities" and be "witnesses of peace and justice" (Second Vatican Council).
Blessing the Poor (2443-2444)
God blesses those who help the poor and rebukes those who do not. Jesus will recognize his chosen ones by what they have done for the poor (Mt 25:31-36).
The Church's love for the poor is part of a constant Tradition. The duty of work flows from love for the poor because the worker can "give to those in need" both materially, culturally, and religiously.
Selfish Use of Riches (2445-2446)
Love for the poor is incompatible with the selfish use of riches. "Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your gold and silver have rusted and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. The wages of the laborers which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts" (Jas 5:1-6).
"Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs" (St. John Chrysostom). "When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours" (St. Gregory the Great).
Almsgiving - Pleasing to God (2447)
There are spiritual works of mercy (instructing, comforting, forgiving, bearing wrongs patiently) and corporal works of mercy (taking care of the hungry, the homeless, the sick, the imprisoned, and burying the dead). Among these works, alms to the poor is most important and pleasing to God. "Give alms and everything will be clean for you" (Lk 11:41). James rebuked any Christian who saw a person in need "without giving them the things needed for the body" (Jas 2:16).
Human misery in its various forms (deprivation, oppression, illness, and death) show man's inherited condition of frailty. This human misery always elicited the compassion of Christ and the Church has a preferential love for those in need. In spite of many failings, she must always work for the relief of those in need.
Measures to Help the Poor (2449)
The Old Testament contains many juridical measures to aid the poor (jubilee forgiveness of debts, tithing, daily payment of day laborers, the poors' right to glean the fields). "You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor" (Deut 15:11). Amos spoke vehemently about "buying the needy for a pair of sandals" (8:6). Jesus asks us to recognize his own presence in the poor. "We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus" (St. Rose of Lima explaining to her mother why she helped the poor).
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