Saturday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Sometimes the readings sound too much like the evening news:

They covet fields, and seize them;
houses, and they take them;
They cheat an owner of his house,
a man of his inheritance.

Some observers have noted how corruption breeds during the bubbles, and are exposed by the bursts. Before the housing bubble burst, it seemed like the money belonged to no one, it was there for the taking.

I often visited the jails in Louisiana when I was a pastor. I met some young mothers who had forged checks. Perhaps they didn’t understand how the whole economic system is based on honesty and trust; nor that the system is fragile. Perhaps they didn’t understand how seriously the Law takes these precious assets. I’m sure they didn’t understand we show mercy to the wealthy and influential, but none to poor, unwed mothers. They only knew they and their children had to survive.

The recent near-collapse of all financial institutions has demonstrated the oldest truth about our sinful world: despite our best efforts, the only champion of the poor is God. They are defenseless before the powers in our world. God’s “preferential option” for the least among us is the foundation of our faith and the way to salvation.

A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.