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cry of the poor: âI have observed the misery of
my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their
cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I
know their sufferings, and I have come down to
deliver them⦠so I will send youâ¦â (
Ex
3:7-8,
10). We also see how he is concerned for their
needs: âWhen the Israelites cried out to the Lord,
the Lord raised up for them a delivererâ (
Jg
3:15).
If we, who are Godâs means of hearing the poor,
turn deaf ears to this plea, we oppose the Fa-
therâs will and his plan; that poor person âmight
cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur
guiltâ (
Dt
15:9). A lack of solidarity towards his
or her needs will directly affect our relationship
with God: âFor if in bitterness of soul he calls
down a curse upon you, his Creator will hear his
prayerâ (
Sir
4:6). The old question always re-
turns: âHow does Godâs love abide in anyone
who has the worldâs goods, and sees a brother or
sister in need and yet refuses help?â (
1 Jn
3:17).
Let us recall also how bluntly the apostle James
speaks of the cry of the oppressed: âThe wages
of the labourers who mowed your fields, which
you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of
the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord
of hostsâ (5:4).
188.âThe Church has realized that the need to
heed this plea is itself born of the liberating ac-
tion of grace within each of us, and thus it is not
a question of a mission reserved only to a few:
âThe Church, guided by the Gospel of mercy