When I talk with people about the Christian responsibility to the poor, I usually get two very opposing responses. One person will state that most of the poor around us are poor of their own fault. They are poor because they don’t work hard or manage their lives wisely. Another person will state that people are poor because of the injustices of society and that those in power are keeping others down. I have learned that neither of these accurately portray the state of the poor around us, and that our opposing, yet equally delusional, view of the poor keep us from actually helping them. The truth is the poor are truly poor, not because they don’t have money, but because they don’t have love.

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Technorati Tags: Charity, poor, poverty

I was listening to the American Catholic Radio podcast (episode #08-18), when they had an interview with Bill Schoessling who is the executive director for Love, Inc., a ministry helping people and families get back on their feet. It isn’t just a charity but a full fledged “teach them to fish” ministry to help people learn to make their own living. I have always thought a good charity does not just feed people, but teach them to feed themselves. However, I am not mentioning Bill because of his ministry, but because of his heart. He challenged me to rethink the HEART of charity. Continue Reading »

Technorati Tags: American Catholic Radio, Bill Schoessling, Charity, Christian Mysticism, Love Inc