The Courage to See the Poor Through God’s Eyes
Introduction
Reading Jack Jezreel’s article “Why the Preferential Option for the Poor is not optional?” is like being confronted with a mirror—one that reflects not only the suffering of the poor, but also the depth (or limits) of our compassion. Jezreel’s reflections, framed by the stories of Archbishop Oscar Romero and unnamed heroes of everyday courage, remind us that Christian discipleship is never abstract. It is embodied, risky, inconvenient, and profoundly transformative.
“Our hearts are most like God’s when they are moved by the suffering of others.”
The Preferential Option for the Poor is often summarized as a social principle, but Jezreel compels us to recognize it as a spiritual conversion—a way of seeing the world as God sees it. As the Latin American bishops proclaimed in Puebla (1979), “a cry rises to the heavens… the cry of a people who suffer.”¹ This cry is not simply heard; it demands a response.
Romero’s Conversion and the Call to Compassion
Jezreel recounts how Archbishop Oscar Romero, once reserved and scholarly, was changed by the brutal reality of El Salvador’s poor. His pastoral awakening illustrates how the preferential option begins: through encounter. Like Moses standing before the burning bush, Romero heard the cry of the oppressed—and allowed it to change him. This echoes Gaudium et Spes, which urges the Church to share in “the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted.”²
Such conversion is not romantic. It is costly. Romero paid for it with his life. But Jezreel argues that this call is woven into our very humanity: we are created in the image of a God who hears the cry of slaves (Ex 3:7), heals the broken, and lifts up the lowly (Lk 4:18).
Understanding the Preferential Option Through CST
Catholic Social Teaching situates the preferential option for the poor within the broader framework of human dignity, solidarity, and the common good. According to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, the poor are not merely recipients of charity but are central to God’s justice: their situation reveals the health of our social and moral order.³ Solidarity obliges us to recognize our interdependence, and the common good demands policies and practices that ensure no one is marginalized.
“To see the world through God’s eyes is to see both the dignity and the suffering of every human being.”
Preferential Option as a Lens for Scripture and Life
Jezreel highlights how Scripture consistently reflects God’s preferential love for the marginalized. From the Exodus, to the prophets, to the ministry of Jesus, God’s concern is clearly oriented toward the poor. St. John Paul II called this orientation a “preferential love for the poor,” reminding the Church that it must shape both pastoral practice and moral decision-making.⁴
“Reading the Bible with the eyes of the poor is a different thing,” writes Jürgen Moltmann, “from reading it with a full belly.”
The option for the poor is not merely biblical—it is the story of salvation itself. In practical terms, this lens challenges Catholics to evaluate daily choices: consumer behavior, political engagement, and spiritual priorities.
Practical Applications Today
Jezreel outlines concrete steps—deeply personal, sometimes uncomfortable—that any Christian can take. Below are three applications grounded in his insights and supported by Catholic Social Teaching.
1. Direct Encounter with the Poor
Charity begins not with giving, but with relationship. Jezreel narrates his friendship with Tom, a homeless man he met at a day shelter. This mirrors Pope Francis’ insistence in Evangelii Gaudium that solidarity must be “a willingness to draw near to others, to care, to listen, to understand.”⁵
Case Study: A parish youth group in Davao began weekly visits to a nearby home for the aged. What began as a service project evolved into genuine friendship. Students who once felt hesitant now advocate for improved city funding for elder services—evidence that encounter can become transformation. More reflections on community engagement can be found here.
2. Ask Questions and Seek Understanding
Encounter naturally leads to the desire to understand the structural roots of poverty. Jezreel describes how hearing the stories of homeless veterans compelled him to ask why they were there in the first place. This mirrors the call in Laudato Si’ for “analysis of systems” and “courage to think beyond the surface.”⁶
Case Study: A Catholic school social justice class in Cebu partnered with a local NGO to study the economic forces affecting informal settlers. Their research became the basis for a city council proposal promoting more humane relocation policies. Learn more about such initiatives here.
3. Advocate for Justice
Jezreel insists that charity alone is not enough. True fidelity to the Gospel involves political responsibility—writing letters, joining campaigns, or supporting development programs. As Solicitudo Rei Socialis teaches, solidarity is a “firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good.”⁷
Case Study: A parish in Manila joined the Caritas Philippines campaign advocating for workers’ rights. Parishioners wrote letters to legislators, organized forums, and collected signatures. Months later, the parish celebrated as improved labor protections passed committee review.
Practical Resources and Tools
To integrate this into daily life, consider these resources:
- Catholic Social Teaching Guidebook (Amazon)
- Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action (Amazon)
- Integral Human Development Workbook (Amazon)
- Solidarity and the Common Good (Amazon)
Shopee Recommendations:
Living the Option with Integrity
Jezreel concludes that the option for the poor must shape not only our hearts but also our choices—how we spend time, how we consume, how we vote, how we pray. This resonates with St. Vincent de Paul’s wisdom: “The poor will forgive your gifts only by feeling your love.”
“To love as God loves is to stand where God stands—beside the poor.”
Whether through simplicity of lifestyle, mindful consumption, financial generosity, or accompaniment, the preferential option is less a duty and more a path to holiness. It reveals who we truly are: people who cannot remain indifferent.
Call to Action
How is God inviting you today to hear the cry of the poor more deeply? Share your reflections or experiences in the comments—I would love to learn from your journey.
Related Posts
- Recommended Reads
- Finding God’s Image in Every Labor of Life
- Sharing God’s Earthly Gifts for the Good of All
- Choosing the Way of Compassion
- Walking Together in Hope
- Choosing the Path That Makes for Peace
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References
1. Latin American Episcopal Conference, Puebla Document (1979).
2. Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes (1965).
3. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (2004).
4. St. John Paul II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (1987).
5. Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (2013).
6. Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ (2015).
7. St. John Paul II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis.
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