The Education for Justice newsletter, published by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, cites data from the United Nations estimating that by the close of 2022, over 670 million people (just under 10% of global population) remained in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $2.15 per day. Beyond the absence of basic necessities like food and shelter, those in poverty face social stigmatization, exclusion from civic participation, limited access to education and culture, vulnerability to climate change, and isolation from thriving communities. Christianity, grounded in the belief that all people are made in the image of God, calls for upholding human dignity, and Catholic Social Teaching emphasizes the need to address poverty and suffering through national and global policies focusing on securing justice for the poor. The USCCB, in “Economic Justice for All”, reminds us that as followers of Christ, we are called to make a fundamental “option for the poor”, responding to the needs of all our brothers and sisters, with those in greatest need requiring the greatest response.
Where do we see these individuals in our own community? Unhoused people, those who rely on food pantries and donations, those needing assistance to keep utilities connected and for rent or mortgages, and those with little or no access to health care are walking all around us. Let’s not look away; instead, let’s help meet immediate needs as we advocate for systemic change to reduce the suffering of our neighbors, local and global.