Catholic Social Teaching: Called to Charity and Justice

Summary

This video script explores the dual Christian principles of charity and justice, emphasizing that true charity is incomplete without a commitment to justice. It challenges the traditional view of charity as mere acts of kindness, arguing for a more systemic approach that addresses the root causes of societal issues. The script discusses the Catholic Church's role in promoting social justice through its social teachings and the importance of creating a just society that reflects love for all people. It also addresses misconceptions about social justice within some religious circles and the importance of caring for both the spiritual and material well-being of individuals.

Takeaways

• 😇 The core message of Jesus to his disciples was to love one another as he loved them, which is fundamental to Catholic social teachings.
• 🏥 Catholic charitable works like hospitals, schools, and shelters are founded on the principle of loving one's neighbor.
• 🤔 The video challenges the notion that charity is the only aspect of Christian service, introducing the concept of justice as an essential complement.
• 👥 The traditional image of charity, often depicted by media as nuns or priests helping the poor, is a stereotype that needs to be expanded to include justice.
• 🛡 Justice in a Christian context is about establishing right relationships with God, others, and creation, and ensuring what is rightfully due to each individual.
• 🚑 Charity addresses the effects of situations, while justice tackles the root causes to prevent recurring issues, like saving someone from drowning versus preventing them from falling in the river.
• 🌐 The Catholic Church encourages questioning the systemic causes of societal problems like poverty and oppression, and taking action to fix them.
• 📜 Seven principles of Catholic social teaching guide believers in creating a just society, including the protection of human dignity, rights, and responsibilities.
• 🌟 The Church's mission includes the redemption of humanity and liberation from oppressive situations, emphasizing the importance of justice in Christian identity.
• 🏛️ Historically, the Church has been involved in defining societal structures, from the use of money to the conditions for war, to promote justice.
• 💬 The video addresses the controversy around the terms 'social justice' and 'economic justice,' suggesting that seeking justice is not inherently controversial but challenging the status quo often is.

Q & A

What is the commandment Jesus gave to his disciples regarding love?

Jesus commanded his disciples to 'love one another as I have loved you,' which is the way they were to live after he was gone.

How does the Catholic Church demonstrate its commitment to charity?

The Catholic Church demonstrates its commitment to charity by founding hospitals, schools, shelters, and encouraging its members to donate their time, talent, and treasure.

What is the relationship between charity and justice in Christian faith?

In Christian faith, charity is incomplete unless it is lived out through justice. Justice involves addressing the causes of suffering and injustice, not just the effects.

What is the biblical notion of justice as described in the script?

The biblical notion of justice is about giving each one what is rightfully due to them, living in right relationship with God, one another, and creation.

How does the script differentiate between charity and justice?

Charity, according to the script, is about alleviating the effects of painful outcomes, while justice is about addressing the causes of those outcomes to prevent them from happening in the future.

What are the seven general principles of Catholic social teaching mentioned in the script?

The seven general principles of Catholic social teaching include caring for God's creation, protecting the life and dignity of the human person, being active members of family and community, upholding the rights and responsibilities of all people with a preferential option for the poor, and practicing solidarity with all people around the world.

Why is justice considered essential to Christian identity according to the script?

Justice is considered essential to Christian identity because it is an extension of charity and ensures that societal structures reflect love for all people.

What is the script's perspective on the relationship between the physical world and spiritual salvation?

The script suggests that while Christians seek spiritual salvation, they should not be unconcerned with the physical world or material conditions, as God became human and entered into the material conditions of humanity.

How does the script address the controversy surrounding the terms 'social justice' and 'economic justice'?

The script acknowledges that some people view 'social justice' and 'economic justice' as controversial or even as code words, suggesting that these terms challenge the status quo and are met with resistance by those who prefer to maintain it.

What does the script suggest is the role of the Catholic Church in addressing societal issues?

The script suggests that the Catholic Church has a role in addressing societal issues by promoting justice, caring for creation, protecting human dignity, and advocating for the rights and responsibilities of all people, especially the poor and marginalized.

Outlines

00:00

💖 The Essence of Christian Charity and Justice

This paragraph explores the foundational commandment of Jesus to love one another as a guiding principle for Christians. It discusses how this love manifests in charitable acts such as founding hospitals, schools, and shelters, and donating time, talent, and resources. The speaker challenges the audience to consider that charity is incomplete without justice, introducing the concept that true Christian living involves addressing both the symptoms and root causes of societal issues. The paragraph also touches on the traditional images of charity in the Church, often portrayed by nuns and priests, and how these images have become archetypes of charity. It emphasizes that justice is about living in right relationship with God, others, and creation, and that it involves not only responding to immediate needs but also working to change the systems that create those needs.

05:01

🌐 The Interconnectedness of Charity and Justice

The second paragraph delves into the concept of justice in the context of Christian faith, distinguishing it from the legal sense and linking it to the biblical idea of ensuring everyone receives what is rightfully theirs. It contrasts charity, which alleviates the effects of suffering, with justice, which addresses the underlying causes. The speaker uses the metaphor of saving drowning people to illustrate the difference between charity and justice, urging Christians to not only help those in immediate need but also to question and work to change the conditions that lead to such needs. The paragraph highlights the Catholic Church's historical role in promoting social justice, referencing theologians and popes who have contributed to the development of social teaching principles. It outlines seven principles of social teaching that guide Christians in building a just society, emphasizing the importance of these principles in the Christian mission and the church's commitment to social transformation.

10:03

📢 The Call to Action in Christian Social Teaching

The final paragraph serves as a call to action, emphasizing the necessity of justice in the Christian life. It discusses the broad categories of social teaching principles that guide Catholics in their daily lives, without dictating specific actions, reflecting the diversity of faithful living. The speaker points out that while the church does not prescribe exact ways to live out one's faith, a commitment to justice is a non-negotiable aspect of Christian identity. The paragraph addresses misconceptions and resistance to the idea of social justice within some Christian circles, highlighting the importance of challenging the status quo and systems of injustice. It concludes by linking the physical and spiritual aspects of human existence, arguing that because God became incarnate and engaged with the material world, Christians should also be concerned with the physical well-being and the conditions of the world. The speaker encourages viewers to learn more about Catholic Social Teaching and to engage with the principles of charity and justice in their own lives.

Keywords

💡Charity

Charity, in the context of the video, refers to the act of giving help and support to those in need, which is a fundamental aspect of Christian faith and practice. It is exemplified by the establishment of hospitals, schools, and shelters by Catholics, as well as donating time, talent, and resources. The video suggests that charity is incomplete without justice, indicating a holistic approach to loving one's neighbor as oneself.

💡Justice

Justice, as discussed in the video, is not merely about legal matters but a biblical concept of ensuring that everyone receives what they are rightfully due. It is about addressing the root causes of societal issues like poverty and oppression, rather than just their symptoms. The video emphasizes that justice is an extension of charity, aiming to create a society where love for all is reflected in its structures.

💡Disciples

Disciples, in the video, are followers of Jesus who are called to live by his teachings, including the commandment to love one another as he loved them. This involves engaging in charitable acts and pursuing justice, which are seen as integral to the Christian mission and identity.

💡Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching is a set of principles and guidelines that the Catholic Church uses to address social, economic, and political issues from a theological perspective. The video mentions these teachings as a foundation for building a just society, with principles such as the preferential option for the poor and the importance of solidarity.

💡Social Encyclicals

Social Encyclicals are papal letters that provide guidance on how to build a just society, addressing current issues and drawing from scripture and tradition. The video refers to these encyclicals as a source of wisdom for Catholics on how to engage with the world in a manner that reflects Christian values.

💡Solidarity

Solidarity, in the video, is the concept of standing together with all people around the world, recognizing that everyone's well-being is interconnected. It is a call for Christians to be concerned not only with individual salvation but also with the collective good of society.

💡Preferential Option for the Poor

The Preferential Option for the Poor is a principle within Catholic Social Teaching that emphasizes a special concern for the poor and marginalized. The video suggests that this principle is a key aspect of living out justice and charity, as it calls for Christians to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable.

💡Structural Sin

Structural Sin refers to the systemic and institutionalized injustices within society that perpetuate inequality and harm. The video touches on this concept by suggesting that true justice involves not only individual acts of charity but also addressing the underlying structures that cause suffering.

💡Embodied Spirits

Embodied Spirits is a theological concept that recognizes humans as both physical and spiritual beings. The video uses this term to argue that since God became human and entered into the material world, Christians should not be indifferent to the physical conditions and well-being of people, as these are integral to human experience and spiritual development.

💡Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God, as mentioned in the video, refers to the realm of God's reign on earth, characterized by love, justice, and peace. Jesus's actions, both in performing charitable acts and in challenging oppressive systems, were aimed at making the Kingdom of God present in the world. The video suggests that Christians are called to continue this work through their commitment to charity and justice.

Highlights

Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another as he had loved them, which is the foundation of Catholic charitable actions.

Charity is incomplete without justice in the Christian faith.

Charitable works such as feeding the poor and caring for the sick are often associated with traditional church figures like nuns and priests.

Catholics Come Home's 2009 commercial emphasized the church's role as the largest charitable organization.

Justice in Christianity refers to the biblical notion of giving each person what is rightfully due to them.

Justice is about addressing the causes of painful outcomes, not just the effects, which is the role of charity.

The church is called to not only save people from their conditions but also to question the causes of societal problems.

Theologians like St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas have contributed to the understanding of a just society.

Popes have written social encyclicals to guide the church in building a just society based on current issues.

The Catholic Church is guided by seven general principles of social teaching, including the protection of human dignity and the preferential option for the poor.

A life of justice is required of all Christians, as stated by the 1971 Synod of Bishops.

Justice is an extension of charity, ensuring societal structures reflect love for all people.

Discussions of social and economic justice can be controversial, with some viewing them as challenges to the status quo.

The physical world and material conditions are important to God, as evidenced by Jesus' incarnation and life among humans.

Jesus' actions in feeding the poor and healing the sick exemplify both charity and justice.

Father Ken Heims shares wisdom on the importance of justice in the Christian faith.

The video encourages viewers to learn more about Catholic Social Teaching and to explore the USCCB's website for resources.

Transcripts

love one another as I have loved you

this is the command that Jesus gave his

disciples as the way they were to live

once he was gone for us as Catholics is

the reason that we founded hospitals

schools shelters it's the reason that we

donate our time talent and treasure

loving one another means doing

charitable things but what if I told you

that charity was only half of the story

and that as Christians charity is

incomplete unless is lived out through

Justice

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when we think about people doing

charitable Works feeding the poor caring

for the sick teaching the

underprivileged most people no matter

how they feel about the church or

religion will inevitably think of a nun

in a habit or a priest in a Roman collar

this is partially conditioned by the

movies and television we watch even in

secular media we often find traditional

images of the church appearing when

someone is in need when Society crumbles

around them or a situation calls for

Selfless Love there's often a random and

unidentified religious there to help in

a lot of ways these traditional images

of the church have become a sort of arch

type of Charity even a cliche at times

for those helping the poor and it's no

wonder why for Christians charity is an

essential aspect of living the gospel

quite simply the response of disciples

to the uh commandment of Jesus that we

are to love our neighbors as ourselves

and so part of the task of being a

disciple or one might say the measure of

being a disciple is not only love of God

but also love of neighbor which is

Charity charity is so intrinsic to our

faith as Christians and the work we do

as Catholics that the organization

Catholics come home made it the main

selling point of its 2009 commercial

with God's grace we started hospitals to

care for the sick we establish

orphanages and help the poor we are the

largest charitable organization on the

planet bringing relief and comfort to

those in need we educate more children

than any other scholarly or religious

institution overall it's a fantastic

commercial that highlights our good

works prayerfulness diversity of members

and positive impact on history and the

organization has done a lot to produce

positive and inviting images of the

church for a popular audience and yet

there is one aspect of our faith

completely missing from it justice when

we say justice we're not talking about

lawyers and judges we're not talking

about doing out punishments we're

talking about the very biblical notion

of giving each one what is rightfully

due to them the whole point about

Justice is biblically speaking it's

about living in right relationship with

God with one another and with creation

so how is this different from charity it

seems to me the whole point of justice

is to deal not just with the effects or

the outcomes of a situation but to try

to remedy and deal with the causes that

bring about painful outcomes or

Consequences think about it this way say

you go for a walk by the river and you

find someone drowning you decide to dive

into the water to save them in doing so

you have spent your time alleviating the

effects of a painful outcome for someone

this is Charity but say this begins to

happen a lot and you find yourself

diving in the river four or five times a

week to save someone you begin to ask

yourself why are there so many people

falling in the river that need saving

and what can I do to stop it from

happening in the future in doing so you

have spent your time alleviating the

causes of a painful outcome for someone

else this is Justice in our world around

us there are many people drowning in a

sense dealing with poverty violence

loneliness oppression and fear as a

church we are obviously called to pull

them out of the water of their condition

but we're also called to ask some

important questions what is it in our

world that's causing these problems and

what can we do to fix them part of the

task of us as Christians is simply to be

concerned with what what is the

environment and I don't just don't mean

the physical environment but what is the

wider environment in which we are asking

people to live their lives uh if we care

about people we should care about the

communities that we plant people in we

should care about the environments in

which people are growing up the Catholic

church has an extensive history of doing

just that theologians like St Augustine

and St Thomas aquinus thought deeply

about what a Society looked like

defining proper uses of money authentic

forms of government even the conditions

under which one could wage war in the

modern era popes have written what are

called social encyclicals letters meant

to be read by the whole church as a

guide for building a just Society based

on the current issues it is from these

letters built on the foundation of

scripture and tradition that we are

Guided by seven general principles of

social teaching we are called to care

for God's creation that which was

created before us and we are a part of

to protect the life and dignity of the

human person to be active members of

family and Community the building blocks

of society to uphold the rights and

responsibilities of all people but

especially those who are poor for which

we have a preferential option and those

who are workers all the while

remembering that we are all in this

together in solidarity with all the

people around the world what's great

about these principles is they are

fairly broad categories to live by the

official Church rarely if ever dictates

specific or exclusive ways in which a

cathol is to live in the world because

there are plenty of good and faithful

ways to live as a Catholic in this world

what the church does dictate however is

that a life of justice is required of

all Christians the 1971 Senate of

Bishops wrote action on behalf of

justice and participation and the

transformation of the world fully appear

as constitutive dimension of the

preaching of the Gospel or in other

words of the church's mission for the

Redemption of the human race and its

Liberation from every oppressive

situation and so what we really saying

is if the Christian Community lacks a

commitment to Justice it's really not

the Christian Community any more than it

would be the Christian Community if it

lacked a commitment to reflection and

prayer over the Bible if it lacked a

commitment to celebrate the Eucharist

just as these things are essential to

Christian identity what the church

maintains is being committed to justice

has that same essential quality if you

want to be a Christian you have to be

concerned about Justice and how can you

blame them at his core Justice is simply

an extension of Charity making sure our

societal structures reflect our love for

all people there's nothing inherently

controversial about Seeking Justice each

of these principles is clearly rooted in

scripture and our tradition and while we

may disagree on how we are to live these

things out there shouldn't be a debate

that we should but really is there

anything not controversial in our world

I beg you look for the words social

justice or economic Justice

on your Church website if you find it

run as fast as you

can social justice and economic Justice

they are code words if you have a a

priest that is pushing social justice go

find another Parish go alert your uh

bishop and tell them excuse me are you

down with this whole social justice

thing everyone's fine with a nun handing

out bread or a priest blessing the sick

but when someone begins talking about

structures of sin or systems of

Injustice eyebrows begin to rise as

Cardinal doel de former Brazilian

Archbishop once said when I give to the

poor they call me a saint when I ask why

they are poor they call me a communist

these sorts of questions challenge the

status quo and people with power status

and privilege tend to like the status

quo when something challenges it in

their minds it can't be true religion

well I can't speak to the exact reason

that Glenn Beach finds social justice to

be so antithetical to living the gospel

I can say that there is a common

objection I hear from time to time if

the world will eventually pass away

shouldn't we be focused on saving Souls

not the world and I completely agree

sort of well I would remind us that

we're not just Souls we are embodied

Spirits if God becomes human and enters

into the material conditions of humanity

if God takes on a body

if God Lives the lives that you and I

live as material creatures in history we

are not to be too Cavalier about being

unconcerned about history or unconcerned

about material conditions or unconcerned

about the well-being of embodied people

because that's precisely what God

entered into exactly ultimately we may

be Soul seeking salvation but we know no

existence without a body everything we

do everything we know everything we

believe believe is the result of living

in this physical world sometimes the

physical world can be oppressive painful

and without love inhibiting our ability

to authentically develop into the person

God created us to be and effectively

hiding the kingdom of God in our midst

in taking on flesh Jesus did not just

announce the kingdom of God with words

he made it present with his actions he

fed the poor healed the sick cured the

blind wonderful acts of Charity but he

also denounced the oppression of the

religious leaders including those who

were excluded and challenged the

corruption of wealth Jesus loved us in

our physical reality and called us to do

the same through charity and through

Justice thanks to Father Ken heims for

sharing wisdom on this issue what I

share was just the tip of the iceberg of

our conversation there was simply too

much good stuff to fit in one video if

you're interested in learning more about

Catholic Social teaching or where you

can read some of the social and cyclical

yourself check out the Us ccb's website

finally if you haven't done it yet click

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