Pope Leo XIV has written his first exhortation, titled, Dilexi te. A papal exhortation is a document from the Pope written to teach and guide the Church on certain pastoral issues. The title is always taken from the Latin first words of the document. Dilexi te means “I have loved you.” Leo says he is quoting Rev 3:9 in which a group of Christians who have no power are addressed. Writers are noting that Leo is continuing in the manner of Pope Francis whose last letter to the Church was titled, “He loved us,” Dilexit Nos. Leo is writing to all Christians “on love for the poor,” continuing Francis’ theme from the earlier document.
The document is 121 paragraphs, can be found online, and is easily read, though it is dense and may want savoring over a few reads. The message is simple: if we are disciples of Christ, we must reach out to care for the poor. This is not a new idea for Christianity. It is core to Jesus’ teachings and example, and Leo makes the point it is “part of the Church’s great Tradition.” (paragraph 103)
I find this exhortation challenging. I do not think God wants me to give all my possessions away and live on the streets of Minnesota in winter. What is God asking me to do? I urge you to read the document for yourself and ponder what it means in our world today, because I can’t tell you what you should do for the poor. I am asking for wisdom to know what I should do to take care of myself on this earth, but also how to care for the poor at the same time. I do know the responsibility to do something isn’t up for debate.
I was struck by two parts that speak about poverty and worship. Read paragraph 27: “works of mercy are recommended as a sign of the authenticity of worship” and our worship “aims to free us from the risk of living our relationships according to a logic of calculation and self-interest.” We are one in the Body of Christ at worship and in the world. And paragraph 42: “charity is not optional but a requirement of true worship.” Leo gives an example from St John Chrysostom: “He understood the Eucharist, [therefore,] as a sacramental expression of the charity and justice that both preceded and accompanied it. That same charity and justice should perpetuate the Eucharist through love and attention to the poor.”
Leo also encourages us to have an attitude of attentiveness to others (paragraph 101). We can’t disregard the poor or become hardened to their circumstances. “If today, you hear God’s voice, harden not your heart.” Psalm 95:7