Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, has issued a message to the faithful highlighting the importance of caring for the poor, drawing on recent papal teachings and the new Apostolic Exhortation "Dilexi Te, On Love for the Poor." Cardinal Tobin encouraged members of the Archdiocese to read the full text of the exhortation available at www.vatican.va.

In his letter, Cardinal Tobin reflected on how Jesus' life was marked by poverty and exclusion. He cited passages from "Dilexi Te," noting: "The Gospel shows us that poverty marked every aspect of Jesus’ life. From the moment he entered the world, Jesus knew the bitter experience of rejection. The Evangelist Luke tells how Joseph and Mary, who was about to give birth, arrived in Bethlehem, and then adds, poignantly, that 'there was no place for them in the inn' (Lk 2:7). Jesus was born in humble surroundings and laid in a manger; then, to save him from being killed, they fled to Egypt (cf. Mt 2:13-15). At the dawn of his public ministry... he was driven out of town (cf. Lk 4:14-30). He died as an outcast... Indeed, that is how Jesus’ poverty is best described: he experienced the same exclusion that is the lot of the poor, the outcast of society."

He emphasized that all Christians are called to follow Jesus’ example by loving and serving those in need: "All disciples of Jesus Christ are called to love the poor as he did. We are invited and challenged to see the poor, to illuminate the reality of poverty, and to respond with transformed hearts."

Cardinal Tobin also addressed Catholic social teaching on human dignity and care for those most in need: "We believe that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God; that each life is sacred... That is why the social teaching of our Church welcomes the poor and oppressed as members of the family of God..."

He acknowledged ongoing efforts within northern New Jersey’s parishes, schools, healthcare organizations, and Catholic Charities agencies while recognizing there remains more work ahead.

A selection from Pope Leo XIV’s exhortation further elaborated on Jesus’ identification with poverty: "By his Incarnation, he 'emptied himself...' His was a radical poverty... The Gospel shows us that poverty marked every aspect of Jesus’ life..." The text continued by detailing scriptural references about Jesus' social status as a craftsman or carpenter and his solidarity with marginalized groups.

Pope Leo XIV wrote: "God shows a preference for the poor: The Lord’s words of hope and liberation are addressed first of all to them. Therefore... no one should feel abandoned. And the Church... must be a Church of the Beatitudes... where the poor have a privileged place (cf. Jas 2:2-4)."

Cardinal Tobin concluded with a prayer inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical Fratelli Tutti:

"Lord Jesus,

You teach us in your parable that there are two kinds of people–

–those who bend down to help and those who look the other way.

Which kind of people will we be?

We say, “Yes, Lord, I will love you and love my neighbor.”

But then we ask:

The migrant… is she my neighbor?

Those in poverty…are they my neighbors?

Victims of war across the world… are they neighbors?

One who faces racism… is he my neighbor?

Those disabled or elderly… are they my neighbors?

You remind us: Yes. All of us neighbors.

Show us how to love, Lord.

May we open our eyes.

May we emerge from our comfortable isolation.

May we build a world of compassion and dignity.

Lord Jesus, who was neighbor to all,

Help us to persevere in love.

Help us to restore dignity to the suffering.

Help us to build a society based not on exclusion, but on community.

Amen."

The prayer text may be reproduced without alteration for nonprofit educational use if not sold and includes proper attribution.