Which of us has not prayed for something to no avail? We wonder why doesn't God answer us. There is of course the often heard, "God always answers our prayers but sometimes the answer is no." Today's first reading offers a more sobering thought.
He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.
According to the verse from proverbs not only will God not answer, he won't even listen to the prayer.
Perhaps it's time for everyone of us to take a hard look at our attitude towards the poor. Start with the beggar at the stoplight. What judgements do we make in our hearts about him or her? What do we feel as they walk up to our car window? What was the last thing you did to help the poor in your area?
In this political season how much is concern for the poor part of your calculus is choosing candidates.
We must open our eyes, our ears, and most of all our hearts. If want God to hear us, we must first hear them.
