Blessed Are the Poor

Tammy Marino of Unbound reflects on the blessings we receive from those in need as we approach World Day of the Poor, November 16. 

One of the many gifts of the papacy and legacy of Pope Francis is World Day of the Poor. Celebrated on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time since 2017, World Day of the Poor, which falls on Nov. 16 this year, was created to raise awareness of poverty and the importance of being connected to the people most affected by it. 

On the first World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis said,

In the poor, Jesus knocks on the doors of our heart, thirsting for our love. When we overcome our indifference and, in the name of Jesus, we give of ourselves for the least of his brethren, we are his good and faithful friends, with whom he loves to dwell. 

There unfortunately exists in society a notion that the poor have only their need to offer. The experience of people who sponsor a child or elder through Unbound, however, is that they receive many gifts from the people they support. Sponsors and Unbound staff members alike are inspired by stories of lived hope, faith and generosity that we encounter through our relationships with people striving to overcome poverty.  

Following are two of the many stories that encourage us.  

Sharing Her Faith

Maricon is a single mother raising eight children in the Philippines. To support her family, Maricon works as a freelance representative assisting companies in navigating employee benefits and government-mandated employee contributions. Her daughter Ruth has a sponsor through Unbound to help with her education and other needs, and Maricon is a parent leader in her community, helping to guide more than 20 families of sponsored children as they participate in the Unbound program and create their paths out of poverty.  

And when she is not working or caring for her family, Maricon spends time taking care of her mother and making “kakanin” (rice cakes) for her friends or the church. 

Despite being stretched in terms of time and finances, Maricon finds a way to share her faith. She is a volunteer Sunday School teacher at her church, where she teaches children about the life of Jesus and the Word of God.  

“Every Sunday, I teach poor children in what we call Sunday School,” Maricon said. “When I see them gathering inside the church hall and have the opportunity to teach them values and Bible lessons, I feel a deep joy. It also recharges me to keep striving so that I can continue supporting my family’s needs. These children listen attentively to what I’m saying, and I share my dreams for them.” 

Learning and Modeling Generosity

Carlos makes his living in Guatemala farming and weaving. His wife primarily cares for their family but makes time to weave and work weekends helping to care for elders. He and his wife have six children, and Carlos has taken an active role in his Unbound parent group.  

With the group, which is mostly made up of mothers, Carlos gives his time generously — visiting neighbors who are sick, sweeping nearby streets, planting trees, and educating his community about the importance of environmental conservation.  

And when Carlos is asked how he feels about his son’s sponsors, he reveals from where his generous spirit of giving stems.  

“We’ve been told the sponsors work hard, but they have a generous heart and choose to share with others,” Carlos said. “That’s something I carry in my heart.” 

Faithfulness and generosity can be easy to lean into when life goes smoothly. When everyone in the household is healthy and happy, when success is found in one’s career, when surrounded by love of friends and family. These are times we thank God for His goodness and grace.  

But when we connect with others who are working toward charting their paths out of poverty, we are reminded that generosity comes from sacrifice. 

In Mark 12, Jesus observes a crowd dropping money into the treasury, and a poor widow gives her last two coins. 

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12:43-44)

As we approach World Day of the Poor, let’s take some time to reflect on the many treasures we reap from giving and receiving, including humility, determination, love of family, generosity and faith. 

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Copyright 2025 Tammy Marino for Unbound
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