THE POOR, THE ORPHAN AND THE WIDOW

In Sacred Scriptures, the poor, the orphan and the widow were mentioned as special to God. God has made Himself their protector and defender and readily hears their prayer. 

The poor, the orphan and the widow, in a spiritual sense, refers to the Catholic Church. For to live a way of life that leads to eternal life means becoming spiritually poor, being a spiritual orphan and widow. This is what makes the Church deserving of God's care. 

The Church is a widow because, as the bride of Christ, she misses her Bridegroom. The chaste virgin betrothed to Christ is still without a bridegroom, thereby she lives like a widow.

The Church must be poor in spirit; she must be humble and must not place her hopes in the honors or wealth of this world but in the Lord alone: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

So, even if the Christian possesses honors and wealth, he must not show it off haughtily. For this reason, he is solicitous for the poor as well as for himself, using his property as stewards rather than possessor. Let the Christian be rich in good works, giving readily, sharing with others in order that he may lay hold of eternal life.

The Church is an orphan because, obedient to Christ's command to leave father, mother, brothers and sisters, they are as if with no one. "Call no one on earth your father."

St. Caesarius of Arles, Sermo. 45

(08-31-03)