May 24, 2026; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; Pentecost
Today’s responsorial psalm is “Lord, send out your spirit, and renew the face of the earth.” This psalm tells us that the role of the Holy Spirit is renewal, and that the Spirit’s renewal is not limited to just small matters but meant to influence the entire world. So, what does this renewal look like? How does God intend to bring about the renewal of the earth? I think Pope Leo can help us here. One of his first statements upon becoming Pope was this one: “I am convinced that the preferential choice for the poor is a source of extraordinary renewal, both for the church and for society, if we can only set ourselves free of our self-centeredness and open our ears to their cry.”
What the Pope is saying is that, if we want to renew ourselves, if we want to renew our world, we must begin by being attentive to the needs of the poor. Who are the poor? Anyone in need, anyone who struggles, anyone in danger of being left behind. And the Pope says not only do we need to be attentive to the needs of the poor, but we must give those needs a “preferential choice,” a preferential status. Not only do we need to consider the needs of the poor, but we must also consider those needs first.
Now obviously, this way of thinking, turns things upside down. Much like Jesus’ words in the gospel, it is making the last first. It is considering the poor and the lowly before those who have influence and privilege. Jesus is not saying that our only concern is for the poor. All of us have needs, all of us have dreams, all of us have plans for our life that are important. But if we are to follow the gospel, the needs of the most vulnerable should be considered first.
Now, this is a revolutionary way of thinking, as revolutionary as the gospel. The gospel challenges us to live it. I believe that many here in this parish that are already living it. I believe there are many parents who understand that they must love and support all their children. But at the same time, that they must extend special care to the child who is struggling, to the child who is weak. This priority for the poor is central to catholic moral teaching, and so it extends beyond the family and our personal relationships. Companies, and employers rightfully seek to make a profit and must satisfy their shareholders. But the gospel directs them, as they initiate new technologies or realign job opportunities, to consider how such decisions will affect their poorest employees. Governments are right to influence their economies so that all can thrive. But each time a government introduces a new tax or economic directive, it is charged to considered how such an initiative will impact its poorest citizens. And certainly, before any government begins military action, its first consideration should be how the violence unleashed will affect the most vulnerable people in the country that is attacked.
You only need to look around to realize that giving priority to the poor is not important to most people in our world. But it is important to Jesus. Therefore, on this feast of Pentecost, we are challenged to make his value our own, so that the Holy Spirit can renew the face of the earth.