Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month gives me the space to reflect on my intersectional identity as a Latino, an immigrant and a Catholic. I am grateful to have opportunities to explore this identity in community at STM during prayer, Mass and fellowship. The National Hispanic Heritage Month Lecture, given by Professor Roberto Goizueta '76 on October 8, 2017, also gave me the chance to ponder my attitude toward preferential treatment of the poor.
“It’s not an option at all but [it is] in fact essential,” Goizueta said, emphasizing the importance of our duty as Christians to care for the poor. He described how God loves us all equally—and the poor preferentially—and how these are mutually implicit rather than paradoxical. Saying that God loves everyone equally is implicitly supporting the status quo and injustice. In the same manner, a mother would not remain neutral if her son were hurting his younger sibling in a brawl. Rather, she would scold her son.
Goizueta shared an anecdote of his encounter with a homeless man during his time as a Yale student. He gave the man some change, and the man grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed his forehead. The experience changed his perspective of the man from an object of his charity to a fellow human being. He then spoke about how we tend to avoid those who are vulnerable and insecure, such as those who live in poverty. He argued that we separate ourselves from them to avoid facing the discomfort that comes with acknowledging our lack of control. We instead choose to live in an illusion in which we have control over our surroundings and our bodies.
As someone who has lived in poverty and worked in international development, I have seen firsthand the reality and importance of loving the poor preferentially. This lecture was a timely reminder for me to question my beliefs and understanding of social justice as well as my relationship with feelings of powerlessness and vulnerability. I am thankful to be a part of STM. There is no better way to dispel isolation than to live within a loving and supportive community.
Editor's Note: Roberto S. Goizueta '76 is the Margaret O’Brien Flatley Professor Emeritus of Catholic Theology at Boston College.
To view the lecture, visit https://goo.gl/5CSqor.
A mariachi band performs after 5pm Mass during STM’s National Hispanic Heritage Month.
