JPIC

Better late than never.
As Jesus said before going to the Cross the "Poor you will always have with you" when Judas complained about an expensive oil being used to anoint him instead of being sold and used for the poor. On the one hand that statement is about the uniqueness of the time and person of Jesus but on the other, it points to the need for the cross .Every generation lives out the battle between the have and the have-nots even on the streets of slums because of our self-centered nature.

I believe St. Francis calls us to recover our first born spirit of generosity . Poverty is not just an absence of material goods. I have been in the most opulent of homes in Vancouver and Montreal talking to young people who have given up all hope of meaningful life. We move towards the FI definition of extreme poverty when it speaks of many leveled poverty that has numerous and soul destroying consequences to our quality of life.
The fI recommendation to focus on relationship is the load stone that leads to A recovery of dignity. Jesus came and set up tent amongst us not setting himself apart as overLord but as humble servant.(Jn 1:14)