Poverty is something that I see every day and can't ignore.

Poverty not pretty, noble or easy. In the beatitudes, Jesus tells us "blessed are the poor in spirit." Not blessed are those with less economic resources. Not blessed are those who help themsleves. Not blessed are those mothers who break their backs working to feed their children. Not blessed are those who don't have access to education. I don't think God could possibly want people to struggle for their daily rice and beans, nor could god want people to have so much they don't even notice what they throw away.

Poverty is someone buying three eggs and 250 mL oil because they can't pay for the dozen or the whole bottle. Poverty is the majority of a country's population not formally employed which means that nothing is open outside of office hours and no one seems perturbed. Poverty means that people work through strikes because if they don't their family will starve. It means that people's needs are so great that often their dignity gets pushed to the side.

God can't want that. We are all created in God's image. That means that we all have dignity that shouldn't be crushed or stepped on.

But many people need "the poor." Some people need them so they can feel good about helping. Some people need them and the cheap labour they supply to buy and sell things cheaply. Some people need them to make themselves rich (or keep their countries that way?) Some people need to step on others to feel better about themselves. I can see myself in many of these portrayals, and that is why it gives me pause.

What hurts me most, however, is how poverty and reality are discussed in the church setting. Nicaraguan catholics and protestants alike talk a lot (or use the phrase anyway) about God's will (not as much as in Egypt fyi). When this messasge comes from the authorities people stay small, silent and afraid.

The "difficult situation" or crisis, otherwise known as reality is often an extreme sport. If your spiritual leader tells you to accept it, what are you supposed to do? How can you change things? You can't. Too many (powerful) people are out there counting on complacency.