Pastor's Page: August 7, 2011
Politics and Social Justice
"And at his (the rich man's) gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table…."
As Christians, we are not permitted to pile up great wealth when other people lack necessities.
Catholic social teaching begins with the dignity of human persons. Everyone has been made in the image of God our Creator. Whenever we see human beings beaten-down by poverty or other deprivation, we are called by God to respond generously and to set people free from their oppression just as Jesus Christ did. We cannot remain silent when we see how government leaders and business people make decisions that are motivated by profit or self gain and oppress people and deny their human dignity. When we are called to vote we do so based on whether we think our representatives are going to support and defend human life and advance human development, or not. We involve ourselves in the political system when we find that people's rights and dignity are under attack for being abused. This is not politics, but profoundly ethical and religious. Justice is core to our mission as Christians.
"Love your neighbor as yourself." What decisions am I making that are truly respectful of the people in my life? What are my actions doing for people, and what are they doing to people? Are my words building people up or tearing them down?
Our world is divided between the rich and the poor; the haves and the have-nots. Millions of people, even billions of people are living marginal lives. They are unable to read or write, lack food and clothing, housing and sanitary living conditions, and they are denied the freedoms that we so fortunately enjoy. The teachings of Jesus demand that we do justice to people who are so dehumanized by their living conditions. To love God heart mind and soul; is to love our neighbor.
There are plenty of issues for us to tackle right in our backyard. What are our prejudices? Do we look down on people who are homosexual or addicted or suffering mental illness? Are we prejudiced against persons of a different sex, looking down on women? Do we think of people of a different race as inferior? Do we stereotype people of other religions, perhaps as fanatics or violent in their disposition? We can change our attitudes by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. But we need to pray for purification of our minds and hearts, and to act with justice.
The dignity of human beings, made in the image and likeness of God, is our starting point. We are valued infinitely by God who loves us, and has no favorites among us. We have been created for communion with others.
Do we have our priorities in order both personally and as a society? Where should we spend our money and how generous are we called to be by Almighty God? For example, in his encyclical "On Social Concern" 1987, Pope John Paul II urged us all to consider redirecting resources from producing armaments to alleviating the misery of impoverished peoples.
Are we truly promoting human dignity, safeguarding and protecting the rights of all especially the weakest and most vulnerable among us?
Peace and love,
Father Bruce
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