The Church of the Poor
James 2:5
“The future and the hope for the ‘bourgeois’ church lies in a renewal of its lifeblood, which is only possible if the church succeeds in winning the proletariat.”
—SANCTORUM COMMUNIO
The church of the First World has become mainly the church of the middle classes. The church of the Third World is largely the church of the poor. The latter is flourishing with new theological creativity and missionary purpose. The former is languishing with its attempts to keep everyone happy on a gospel that knows little of the cost of discipleship. If the church of the rich embraced the cry of the poor and made that its concern, it would itself be saved.
Thought
We have been preoccupied with saving ourselves and ensuring that the gospel costs nothing. The gospel should cost us everything, and by practicing this, we shall be saved.
What is your prayer thought for today’s lesson?