In all of the political hoopla that goes around today we see one important contrast between the candidates: how each one deals with the issues of poverty and marginalized people in our country. Aside from all the political nuances it is clear that poverty and the poor are a reality in our affluent culture and we are challenged how to correct this perennial problem in our midst. The simplistic answer is that people have to work harder to earn enough money to survive. The more informed answer is that poverty is the result of many more complex factors that go to the deeper reasons why people are poor and destitute. Our own St. Vincent DePaul society deals with this dilemma almost daily.
 This weekend our scripture readings focus on this whole issue of poverty. The first reading from Amos the Prophet speaks about how the poor in his culture were taken advantage of and ignored by the affluent; how the rich were more concerned about their own pleasure and comfort, than they were about the suffering in their midst.
And in the gospel today Jesus tells the parable about Lazarus the poor beggar and the rich man who ignored him and refused to share even the scraps from his table. In the end the rich man is judged by the way he dealt with the poor man Lazarus.
The message today has to do with the way we too deal with the poor in our midst. Sure all of us will bring food for the food pantry or give to a second collection for those who are destitute. But there is a more personal way to accomplish this ministry. Again poverty is more than the lack of money. Poverty is also the emptiness and barrenness people feel in their hearts. Giving of ourselves to them does not affect our bank accounts or our financial security. Seeing the need of those around us and responding with encouragement, support, loving care and a warm heart is sharing the wealth and the richness that we have been blessed with.
May we reach out to the poor in our midst and enrich them with the wealth of our faith filled generosity.