ADVENT REFLECTIONS 2013 - Week 2: A Church for the Poor

As we continue our Advent preparation Pope Francis reminds us of the poor in our midst. Are we too caught up with planning gifts and celebrations to focus on the real meaning of Christmas? How can we live more simply to allow everyone to have a fair share of the world’s resources?

Francis of Assisi is the man of peace. That is how the name came into my heart. For me, he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.

Francis of Assisi gives us the spirit of peace: a poor man who wanted a poor church. How I would love a church that is poor and for the poor. Pope Francis explains his choice of name

CHARTER TO STOP THE PAYDAY LOAN RIP-OFF

Church Action on Poverty, in partnership with cross-party MPs and other debt and anti-poverty organisations has launched a major new initiative to tackle predatory and irresponsible payday lenders.
• Download a copy of their report ‘Stopping the Payday Loan Rip-off’ at

www.church-poverty.org.uk/drowningindebt/paydayloanreport

UK FOODBANKS

13 million people live below the poverty line in the UK. Every day people in the UK struggle to feed themselves and their families due to redundancy, illness, benefit delay, domestic violence, debt, family breakdown and the cost of winter fuel.
 
Working in partnership with local churches and communities Trussell Trust Foodbanks provide a minimum of three days balanced, non-perishable food, donated by volunteers, to support people experiencing crisis. In 2012-13 foodbanks fed 346,992 people nationwide - 126,889 of these were children.
 
• Help at or donate food to your local foodbank www.trusselltrust.org
 
THE CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE TO SOCIAL INJUSTICE

As society becomes increasingly fragmented and the poverty gap widens, there’s a growing feeling a better world must be possible. But how can we find a just and loving alternative that is true to God? A new extended edition of David Rhodes’ book Faith in Dark Places brings radical new insights that strengthen our resolve in the struggle for justice.
• Contact www.turbulentbooks.co.uk
  
REFLECTION John the Baptist preached ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand. ’ Matthew 3:1
 
For the times I have failed to help build a fairer society and have thought only of myself, I ask your forgiveness, Lord.
For the times that my greed may have caused the gap between rich and poor to widen, I ask your forgiveness, Lord.
Open my eyes, to look out for those who struggle to cope.
Open my ears, to hear the cries of the poor and the needy.
Open my heart, to respond in love and solidarity to all your people.

ACTION IDEAS

• Join Church Action on Poverty www.church-poverty.org.uk

• Become a live simply parish www.cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Campaigning-guide/Become-a-LiveSimply-parish

He shall save the poor when they cry and the needy who are helpless. He will have pity on the weak and save the lives of the poor. Psalm 71: 12-13