Today’s Gospel reading reminds us that it is not enough to keep all of God’s commandments but also to cultivate a generous heart that alleviates the suffering of the poor. Note that Jesus does not define what poverty is or what it looks like here. Pope Francis, however, outlines three kinds of poverty for us—material poverty (lacking the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter), moral poverty (slavery to vice and sinful habits and practices), and lastly, spiritual poverty (those who do not know or have rejected the love of Christ). If we are rich while others are poor, we are warned that it is “easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”

Reflect upon poverty and wealth in your life. In what areas of your life are you materially, morally, and spiritually poor?

—Julianne Stanz is a speaker, writer and mother of two, originally from Ireland. She currently serves as Director of the New Evangelization for the Diocese of Green Bay, WI.