Advent: A call to journey with the poor

Pedro Perna

In this season of Advent — a time of hope, anticipation, and preparation — we reflect on the call to encounter Christ in the poor and marginalized. As we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus, we are reminded of the powerful message left by Gustavo Gutiérrez, Catholic priest and founder of Liberation Theology, who passed away this year. His words, shared at the seminar “50 Years of Liberation Theology. Perspectives” in October 2021, continue to illuminate the path of solidarity and justice.


In this period of waiting and transformation, may his reflections inspire us to listen to the cries of the poor and respond with commitment and love, following the teachings of Jesus.


Words of Gustavo Gutierrez about the poor

Given the situation in Peru, I once again feel the urge to call for conversion to the message of Jesus.


As a priest I have often lived among the poor. The poverty of today is living apart from the world that progresses the one who has possessions and security. Even if they live in the same city, the poor are living in a different way. The issues of poverty and inequality are not just of Peru, nor of Latin America: they are a central problem of the entire planet. Poverty is unjust early death. It destroys people and families. As Hannah Arendt said, “the poor person is the one who has no right to have rights”.


God's love is universal, it excludes no one, but Jesus asked us to give preference to the weakest, to the discarded, as Pope Francis says. That is why the commitment to the poor cannot avoid denouncing the causes of poverty.


I see Peru divided like many other countries. The best reason to find points of agreement should be solidarity with those who suffer the most. The fight against poverty is part of a general struggle to overcome all oppressions and among them the oppression of women is the most serious because it divides humanity in half. 


To my friends I would especially like to say: let us go to that other world in which the poor live, let us create more sources of dialogue and encounter in solidarity with them. Thank you for all you have worked and for listening to me.


Gustavo


Click on the link to see the video in Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsPCa8OAcl8