Pope Francis has lunch with the homeless in Washington DC

[By Christopher White from Catholic Voices USA] Francis left the halls of Congress to head to St. Patrick’s Parish in Washington to have lunch with the homeless. He used the example of St. Joseph to call our attention to “the quiet presence of God at every moment of our lives, in every person and in every situation. He used the occasion as a call to action to provide housing and shelter to all those in need.Some quotes follow:

“In the face of unjust and painful situations, faith brings us the light which scatters the darkness. As it did for Joseph, faith makes us open to the quiet presence of God at every moment of our lives, in every person and in every situation. God is present in every one of you, in each one of us.”“We can find no social or moral justification, no justification whatsoever, for lack of housing. There are many unjust situations, but we know that God is suffering with us, experiencing them at our side. He does not abandon us.”“We know that Jesus wanted to show solidarity with every person. He wanted everyone to experience his companionship, his help, his love. He identified with all those who suffer, who weep, who suffer any kind of injustice.”“In prayer, there are no rich and poor people, there are sons and daughters, sisters and brothers. In prayer, there is no first or second class, there is brotherhood. It is in prayer that our hearts find the strength not to be cold and insensitive in the face of injustice. In prayer, God keeps calling us, opening our hearts to charity.”

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