We hear a lot about the economy in the news and is a common topic often discussed by political candidates. In the Gospel reading for today, a rich man, who has kept the commandments of God, is loved by Jesus enough to challenge the man to do one more thing: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
As I encourage everyone to educate themselves in the beauty of our Catholic theology and teachings, I would like to reflect briefly on the document: Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy, published in 1986 by the United States Catholic Bishops.
“The challenge of this pastoral letter is not merely to think differently, but also to act differently. A renewal of economic life depends on the conscious choices and commitments of individual believers who practice their faith in the world. This letter calls us to conversion and common action, to new forms of stewardship, service, and citizenship. The completion of a letter such as this is but the beginning of a long process of education, discussion, and action." -- Economic Justice for All (nos. 25, 27, 28)
This letter was an effort to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of our complex and powerful economy. It insisted that the measure of our economy is not only what it produces, but also how it touches human life, whether it protects or undermines the dignity of the human person, and how it promotes the common good. Our Bishops emphasized that economic decisions have human consequences and moral content; they help or hurt people, strengthen or weaken family life, advance or diminish the quality of justice in our land. This letter was not an economic blueprint, but a moral challenge and a call to action.
All nations need to hear this message once again and respond to its continuing challenges. At a time of great national debate, the Catholic community must continue to speak for poor children and working families. Our nation must reduce its deficits, reform welfare, reshape its foreign assistance and reorder national priorities. However, the fundamental moral measure of these policy choices is how they touch the poor in our midst, especially children and families who struggle against economic, social, and moral pressures which leave them poor and powerless. Poor children, workers, and families may not have the most powerful lobbies, but they have the greatest needs.
Much has changed since the time of Jesus for sure, and since 1986 as well; however, much remains the same -- there is still too much poverty and not enough economic opportunity for all our people.
As people of faith, we believe we are one family, not competing classes. We are sisters and brothers, not economic units or statistics. We must come together around the values of our faith to shape economic policies that protect human life, beginning with the most vulnerable of human life, that in the womb, to promote strong families, expand a stable middle class, create decent jobs, and reduce the level of poverty and need in our society. We need to strengthen our sense of community and our pursuit of the common good.
As it was taught by Jesus and still taught by our Catholic Church today, it remains clear that the moral test of our society is how the poor, the weak, and the vulnerable are faring. By this standard we are falling short.
God Bless,
