There is but one love of Jesus, as there is but one person in the poor – Jesus. We take vows of chastity to love Christ with undivided love; to be able to love him with undivided love we take a vow of poverty which frees us from all material possessions, and with that freedom we can love him with undivided love, and from this vow of undivided love we surrender ourselves totally to him in the person who takes his place.
Mother Teresa
Theological Talking Points
Commitment to those Who are Poor
We stand with and serve those who are poor, especially those most vulnerable.
• Hallmark of Catholic Health Care• The nature of suffering
Theological Talking Points
Why this Commitment?
Theological• Human Dignity• Social Justice
Political• Keep peace• Only strong as weakest link
American/Secular values• Equal opportunity
Theological Talking Points
We stand with and serve those who are poor, especially those most vulnerable.
Stand With
• Solidarity• Be with’ – ‘walk with’• God became human, in the form of a servant, and
walked among us• More than charity, compassion
Theological Talking Points
We stand with and serve those who are poor, especially those most vulnerable.
Serve
• Meet needs of the whole person• Not necessarily agree with, or comply• Give a fish – teach how to fish
(be wary of paternalism)• Common good• Servant leadership
Theological Talking Points
We stand with and serve those who are poor, especially those most vulnerable.
Poor
• Financial• Social• Spiritual• Psychological• Social• Health• Information
Theological Taking Points
We stand with and serve those who are poor, especially those most vulnerable.
Especially those most vulnerable
• Human Dignity• Participation, Association• Voice