Viúvas
A Bíblia revela um cuidado especial de Deus pelas viúvas. Ao longo das Escrituras, encontramos mandamentos claros de proteção, justiça e compaixão, refletindo o caráter amoroso do Senhor.
A proteção divina
Deus se apresenta como defensor das viúvas, garantindo que não fiquem desamparadas. Ele acolhe os que sofrem e sustenta os que perderam seu amparo terreno.
Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
prepare a way for him who rides on the clouds.
His name is the Lord—be glad in his presence!
God, who lives in his sacred Temple,
cares for orphans and protects widows.
He protects the strangers who live in our land;
he helps widows and orphans,
but takes the wicked to their ruin.
When the poor cried out, I helped them;
I gave help to orphans who had nowhere to turn.
People who were in deepest misery praised me,
and I helped widows find security.
Justiça e compaixão
A Palavra ordena que seu povo pratique a justiça, protegendo os mais frágeis e defendendo a causa dos necessitados.
Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy."
"Long ago I gave these commands to my people: ‘You must see that justice is done, and must show kindness and mercy to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners who live among you, or anyone else in need. And do not plan ways of harming one another.’
Do not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do, I, the Lord, will answer them when they cry out to me for help, and I will become angry and kill you in war. Your wives will become widows, and your children will be fatherless.
and learn to do right. See that justice is done—help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows."
O chamado da Igreja
No Novo Testamento, o cuidado com as viúvas é expressão genuína da fé cristã. Tiago declara que a religião pura inclui visitar os necessitados.
What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.
Show respect for widows who really are all alone.