# Who Is My Family? – Walking in Praise with Pope Francis
*2015-10-17*

> Bill Young reflects on Pope Francis’ call to see the homeless as family, explores how we can respond to local shelters, and offers a prayer for justice and solidarity.

## Pope Francis and the New Family

Pope Francis reminds us that family is not just a legal term; it is anyone who shares in our common dignity as children of God. He has even asked for a homeless shelter to be built near the Vatican, which opened just yesterday. This concrete act shows that the Church must care for the poor not as statistics, but as brothers and sisters whose lives matter.

## Seeing the Poor as Neighbors

When we read the Gospel of Luke, we hear the story of the rich man who ignored the poor man at his gate. The rich man’s wealth came at the expense of another’s poverty. Today, our “gate” is the world we live in, and the homeless are standing right outside our doors. Pope Francis urges us to look beyond abstract climate‑change data and see the faces of those who suffer because of our consumption.

## What Can We Do for Our Local Shelter?

The episode’s prayer question asks: “What does my local homeless shelter need for its guests? What can I provide?” The answer is practical and personal. We can donate food, clothing, or a listening ear. We can volunteer our time to serve meals or help with laundry. Even a small act of kindness becomes a sign of the Kingdom when it is offered out of love.

## A Prayer for Justice and Solidarity

God of creation, when riches for one mean poverty for another, help me to see the poor as my family. Grant me the courage to share what I have, to stand with those who are marginalized, and to work for a world where every person’s dignity is respected.

*Seeing the homeless as family transforms charity into a shared responsibility rooted in love.*