The first reading this Sunday affirms that those who look to God will not want for anything, regardless of their economic status: “You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat!” As Washington struggles to forge a solution to the nation’s debt crisis, religious figures urged the president and congressional officials to protect programs for hungry and poor people.

Spiritual leaders met with the president last week to urge him and congressional negotiators to remember the neediest at this time of national economic crisis. The 40-minute meeting included representatives from some of the nation's largest religious denominations and organizations, including the Roman Catholic Church, the National Council of Churches, the National Association of Evangelicals, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as well as deputies of social service groups such as the Salvation Army and Bread for the World. The delegation also met recently with Rep. Paul Ryan, U.S. House budget committee chairman, as well as the staff of House Speaker John Boehner to voice their concerns.

The meeting with the president came after more than 5,000 pastors sent him and the congressional leadership a letter last week telling them the "moral measure of the debate is how the most poor and vulnerable fare." The “Circle of Protection” statement has been endorsed by more than 60 heads of Christian denominations and religious organizations as well as 45 heads of development agencies and other faiths.

The movement was launched in response to the disproportionate budget reductions proposed for programs benefiting hungry and poor people. “As Christian leaders, we are committed to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice. We are also committed to resist budget cuts that undermine the lives, dignity, and rights of poor and vulnerable people,” the statement said.

Speaking after the meeting with the president, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, New Mexico said: "We came here not to advance a particular plan, but a fundamental moral principle: Put the needs of the poor first in allocating scarce resources.

“As religious leaders, our concern is not which party wins the current political battles,” said Ramirez. “But we know if we don't speak up who is likely to lose: the families trying to feed their kids, the jobless looking for work, the children who need health care, the hungry and sick and hopeless around the world."

Sources: Articles by Jaweek Kaleem for The Huffington Post and a USCCB News Release