Francis and the poor

Rich Mullins, my-great-mentor-without-knowing-me singer/songwriter/member of Kid Brother of St. Frank, would have been so happy that the recently elected (selected?) pope took the name Francis as Mullins loved the work of St. Francis of Assisi.

Mullins was a contemporary Christian musician with a dream to take the Good News of God's Love to the Native American reservation through the arts and music. Rich and his long-time writing partner and friend, Beaker, started Kid Brothers in the late ‘80s as a ministry to mentor other young men in the faith. In 1995, Rich moved to Tse Bonito, New Mexico, to put hands and feet to his dreams.

Two years later he was killed in an automobile accident.

But back to Pope Francis.

Here's the story as told to the Associated Press:

"Let me tell you a story," Pope Francis began in a break from his prepared text during an audience for a few thousand journalists and Vatican communications officials in the Vatican's auditorium.

Francis then described how during the conclave he was comforted by his friend, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, as the votes were going his way and it seemed "a bit dangerous" that he would reach the two-thirds necessary to be elected. When the threshold was reached, applause erupted in the frescoed Sistine Chapel. "He (Hummes) hugged me. He kissed me. He said, 'Don't forget about the poor!'" Francis recalled. "And those words came to me: The poor. The poor. Then right away, thinking of the poor, I thought of Francis of Assisi. Then I thought of all the wars as the votes were being counted, until the end. Francis is also the man of peace. That is how the name came into my heart: Francis of Assisi."

Again, Jesus said, "Childen, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."

Easier, though not impossible.

Recently in teaching from Matthew's Gospel, I, of course, came across Jesus' teachings on what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew's sixth chapter, Jesus says this: "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets..." This discourse is actually referring to the method of giving, not giving, but I want us to notice that He takes it for granted that giving to the needy is done.

So, my question this morning is if Christians on the planet are in the billions, then why do we still have such hunger, such need, such homelessness? Why?

Hosanna in the highest.