To be a widow in Jesus time was precarious.

No Social Security, no Meducare, no Medicaid.

And even in our day there are those who want to take away these safety nets.!. Here is hoping you did not vote for them.

And there are still those who prey on the most vulnerable.

Loan sharks who trap the poor with sky high interest raes until the poor have to turn over their autos and are left with no means of getting to work.

In Jesus time unless a widow had family support, she might have to turn to prostitution to survive.

Notice how careful Jesus was to turn his mother Mary over to Saint John for her safety and security.

Payday Loans, Title Loans are the oppressors today who prey upon the poor like ravaging wolves.

A coalition including Saint Vincent de Paul got rid of Pay Day loan shatks, but they always try to resurface in a new guise.

Our Voice of The Poor committee right now is working with an organization that will instruct the poor on how to budget and then direct them to a source where they can obtain reasonable loan rates.

And so we pray:

Deliver the poor from oppression.

Open wide the gates of mercy.

Send forth yor Spirit,

so that compassion,

rather than greed,

moves the hearts of your people.

Amen

I