The most challenging aspect of inviting others to serve the poor is the various obstacles that keep people from showing up. Fr. Mark-Mary addresses the five most common obstacles in people’s hearts that explain why they struggle to serve the poor consistently. He then proposes solutions to each throughout the next few chapters.
Indifference is the first obstacle to overcome, and Fr. Mark-Mary proposes that actual contact with the poor will be the solution to dispelling indifference and fostering compassion.
Time is one of the biggest obstacles we face when trying to serve the poor. Father proposes the idea of “creative time” to create time or make time for those we love.
If fear is the primary obstacle for a person, the solution is similar to the solution for indifference. Exposure in gentle, simple, and easy ways will be the key to casting out fear. In this critical chapter, Father Mark-Mary explores this very real topic.
