“Christian love of neighbor and justice cannot be separated. For love implies an absolute demand for justice, namely a recognition of the dignity and rights of one’s neighbor.Justice attains its inner fullness only in love.
Because every man is truly a visible image of the invisible God and a brother of Christ, the Christian finds in every man God himself and God’s absolute demand for justice and love.”
1971 Bishops Conference
As I am browsing through 'Internet-land,' I come across various religious and catholic sites. For the most part they are very good, but the message boards are always embroiled in some sort of controversy. One of the ongoing themes is he separation of church and state. Essentially it becomes the church should not comment on what has become a political issue. I do remember this sentiment growing up, adults protesting that the Church was becoming too socially active. In reality the church and state thing means something different and that might be a topic for another blog. But issues of life, justice, and dignity certainly do have strong religious origins.
The majority of people that come to talk with me do so out of the context of life or lifestyle issues. There are marriage difficulties, end of life matters, and questions about health and health care. A large part of our ministry is the care of the sick and dying, outreach to the poor, and preparing families for marriage. While politicians will speak and even legislate on these concerns, there are strong moral and value orientated roots that draw them into the realm of religion.
Jesus commanded the Church to go out and preach the good news. His only agenda was the Kingdom. I suppose that over the centuries we as Church could have done less orphanages, hospitals, and missionary work. But the corporal and spiritual works of mercy are so very basic to our mission as a Church, and bring the Church more closely into what Jesus did.
The Church is supposed to be counter-cultural. This is a good thing. I think that it is good that we bump heads with society on a regular basis. There are no wallflowers in faith. As a Church I think that we really have to keep evaluating our mission and ministries so that we might be sure that we are doing the right thing. Our Church has to be a sign and symbol of Christ in the world.
I think that it is good that we bump heads with society on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right: lots of good comes out of this. Yet This always a difficult "tight rope" to balance on, Father, especially within families--confronting the accepted "truth" of relativism & subjectivity when present in a loved one causes discord; hence the necessity of Charity and Resolve/fortitude. Right?
Truly. St. Paul will speak about admonishing each other, challenging each other with that which is good and true, but always to do so with charity.
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