“In a world where there is so much wealth... it is unfathomable that there are... so many poor persons.” (Pope Francis) - Daily Bible Reflections May 10,2015

EQUAL FOOTING   But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” – Acts 10:26          In 2011, Warren Buffett, the fourth richest man in the world, wrote an article for the New York Times titled, “Stop Coddling the Super-Rich.” It was an insightful piece on how legislation in the United States provided preferential income tax treatment for the extremely wealthy and powerful but at the expense of the working class and underprivileged.        He wrote, “Our leaders have asked for shared sacrifice. But when they did the asking, they spared me. I checked with my mega-rich friends and they, too, were left untouched. While the poor and middle class fight for us in Afghanistan, and while most Americans struggle to make ends meet, we continue to get our extraordinary tax breaks.”        It was not the sense of the article that struck me, but the fact that the words came from an individual who thoroughly earned and deserved his incredible success but was willing to sacrifice more of his wealth for the sake of the less fortunate. It is a shining example of how humility and the lack of entitlement can serve as an inspiration for everyone, not merely the superrich, to serve and protect our fellowman.Eleanore Teo (elyo.lee@gmail.com)   Reflection: “In a world where there is so much wealth... it is unfathomable that there are... so many poor persons.” (Pope Francis)   Father, grant me the self-awareness to understand that it is my honor to stand equal among my brothers and sisters in Your presence.   St. Damien of Molokai, pray for us.