May 24, 2005

Our Franciscan life of poverty is meant to be a witness and reminder to the world that “my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19). Before this, Saint Paul also says “I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:12-13). We are indeed called not to be self-sufficient, but Christ-sufficient. The Franciscan saints we celebrated last week, from the penitent Saint Margaret of Cortona to the preacher Saint Bernadine of Siena, with the great lay-brother Saints Felix, Crispin, and Paschal Baylon in between, brought home this truth to me again and again.

However, it is often the poor whom we serve who are witnesses and reminders to us of the truth of the all-sufficiency of Christ. Last week, for example, a man named Richard who came to our St. Joseph’s Table, (our lunch program here in Harlem), was telling us about a time in his life when he was greatly discouraged and desperate and the Lord told him twice in two dreams, “Don’t worry, I will take care of you.” Since then his life has continued to improve with work, a greater freedom from anxiety, and a cheerful trust in the Lord.

A homeless man named John, a guest at our St. Padre Pio Shelter, also witnessed convincingly to me last week of the sufficiency of Christ in his life. He said very directly, “Because I am a Christian, even though I’m homeless at the moment, I have more than enough of what really counts. I have grace and I have eternal life to look forward to – what else do I really need?

Admittedly, not all of the poor whom we serve have such faith. But the story of the rich young man (Mk 10:17ff) warns us that wealth may become a hindrance to faith, either because it breeds greater attachment or the illusion of self-sufficiency. May the Lord teach us through His many disguises of poverty the riches of His glory, His mercy, and His peace!

Fr. Richard Roemer, CFR
Community Vicar, residing at St. Joseph Friary in Harlem

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