the poor do not exist, pt.3

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I also grew tired of spending so much effort trying to help a few people who didn't seem to be trying very hard themselves, or who were even undermining the help that was given. I know it's Catholic Worker tradition to "not discriminate between the deserving and undeserving poor." And I agree that is the best approach when we first encounter someone, before we've had time to discern the patterns of their life, before we understand the true nature of their needs. But once we get to know them it doesn't help to act as if we didn't, responding indiscriminately. Jesus didn't respond indiscriminately. To some he gave food (and to some no food, Jn 6.26ff), to some healing, to some forgiveness, to some a confusing saying, to some a rebuke. Loving does not mean responding indiscriminately, but finding the true need and being a part of God's response to that need.

I've learned this means asking questions. Maybe that's obvious. But when we sense that someone is in need we often stifle our questions. Perhaps because we don't want to embarrass them. Or pry. Or maybe we don't want to know the seriousness of their need, because then we would have to choose whether to get involved or turn our backs on them. I know I've shied away from people for this reason. But in my experience here at the Catholic Worker, I found that the people who were truly in need and looking for help were usually very willing to explain their situation. They were often relieved to simply find someone who was willing to listen to what they were going through. Someone who would pay attention. Simone Weil said that giving our full attention to someone who is suffering is "a very rare and difficult thing; it is almost a miracle; it is a miracle." Yet this is precisely what love is. Giving our full attention, not turning away.

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