# God is close to the poor
*2014-12-25*

> Reflecting on the readings for Tuesday of Christmas Week, Bill Young explores how the Incarnation demonstrates God's profound love and proximity to the poor.

## The Humility of Christ

In our reading from the book 'The Advent Journey with Christ' featuring the words of Pope Francis, we are reminded of the humility of our Lord. As it is written in Philippians, we are called to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave and being born in human likeness.

## A God Who Becomes Poor

God has a special place for the poor—so much so that God himself became poor, as noted in 2 Corinthians 8:9. The entire history of our redemption is marked by the presence of the poor. Salvation came to us through a lowly maiden from a small town on the fringes of a great empire. The Savior was born in a manger in the midst of animals.

## The Life of the Savior

Even in his early childhood, Jesus was associated with the poor. When he was presented at the temple, his parents offered two turtle doves, an offering made by those who could not afford a lamb. He was raised in a home of ordinary workers and worked with his own hands to earn his bread.

## The Mission to the Marginalized

When Jesus began to preach the kingdom, crowds of the dispossessed followed him. He illustrated his mission by declaring, 'The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor.' He assured those burdened by sorrow and crushed by poverty that God has a special place for them in his heart, telling them, 'Blessed are you poor, yours is the kingdom of God.'

## The Key to Heaven

Jesus made himself one of the poor. He taught us that mercy towards the marginalized is the key to heaven, saying, 'I was hungry, you gave me food to eat.' By identifying himself with the least among us, he showed us the path to salvation.

*Jesus, help me be more attentive to the needs of the poor.*