My Beloved Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The psalmist prays, “Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.” This is not according to our culture, is it?

For the accumulation of wealth is something that is admired and desired. Our culture boasts stockpiling whatever we are able to ensure our earthly comforts for all our days.

The psalmist suggests a different take on this life because the psalmist recognizes that our life is one of God’s breath, and we are called to glorify God. How do we do this? Not by paying attention only to ourselves, but by ministering to those who live with us and around us.

St. Paul admonishes us to pray for everyone — those who live through, with and in God and those who do not! He tells us to pray “for kings and for all in authority,  that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity” (1 Tim 2:2). Jesus advises that we cannot serve both God and earthly idols.

From the very beginning, Jesus the Eucharist tells us that He is not offering us an easy way of life. He is asking us to be like Him, focused on doing the will of the Father no matter the cost. When we refocus our attention on doing the Father’s will, then we too may have to make choices in our relationships.

During September, let us refocus our attention on the gift we receive from God, the gift of life. Let us see one another as a treasure, a gift from God’s breath. Let us put aside our differences, and stop being indifferent toward one another. God calls each one of us to extend our hand to one another in prayer and truth.

When I speak about this with some of you, I sometimes hear these responses: “My neighbor torments me, he/she won’t listen.” “I tried speaking with my child, but he/she is too busy with social media.” “I do what I can, but I can’t be available for that person.”

You know, God listens, and whether you believe another is responding to you, prayer is always available to you for everyone. And sometimes, you can smile at that tormenting neighbor and say, “God’s morning to you. I prayed for you last evening. I hope you are well today.”

You might put your arms around your child and offer a hug with the words, “I love you,” even while he/she is engaged in social media.

You could take a bag of food to your parish pantry or Catholic Charities of Central Florida and be available in that way to a stranger. You might find making an extra donation to Catholic Charities of Central Florida each year is a way to minister to the poor.

There are also those who are poor in spirit, who are depressed and struggling sometimes just to get out of bed. Some of these encounter a world without hope and for these we pray as pilgrims of hope. I encourage you to participate in the Mass for Suicide Prevention and Remembrance Saturday, Sept. 20, at noon, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. As you gather with families throughout the Diocese, you will pilgrim with them to offer one another the eternal light of hope in God and offer them peace through Jesus the Eucharist.

I ask you to join me in the celebration of the Blue Mass, an annual gathering when we pray in thanksgiving for the Lord who lifts up the poor through the ministry of our public safety personnel. It will be held Monday, Sept. 29, at noon, at St. James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. These men and women tend to the wounded and offer strength to the weary. They keep God’s name and His everlasting promise within the shield of their heart and by their spirit sing of God’s ways.

Everything offered to us through, with and in God is the beauty of His matchless love. We are called to be His ambassadors on this earth and bring that love to one another. Then, the bond between heaven and earth will be fulfilled. May we live as those who lift up the poor.