We think we know
everything. If we don’t, we turn to someone else who we think knows everything.
That may be the media or a politician or a political party or a special
interest group.
Here is a secret. They tell
us what they want us to hear. They call it justice. Many times, it is only a
cover for a hidden agenda. Agendas that are intended to mislead and divide us. Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the
flock of my pasture, says the LORD.
The LORD gave us good
shepherds. The LORD, Jesus Christ left us the Church and the Christian faith
and religion. Still, people in the Church have agendas. Even denominations and
factions in our faith have agendas.
But, the role of the Church and religion is to direct us
to the truth, each other, and God. I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that
they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the LORD.
Jesus said the Holy Spirit,
the paraclete, would never abandon His Church. By the Holy Spirit, God always sends shepherds to His fold. As
Christians, our shepherd is Christ Jesus and here on earth Christ shepherds his
flock through the Church. My sheep hear my voice; I
know them, and they follow me.
Realizing that, we know a
moment of grace. He came and preached peace to
you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both
have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Peace is known through
faith; for they were like sheep
without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
It is found in the truest
teachings of our Catholic Church. In fact, all Christian denominations began in
that same place; even though they fail to recognize it. Sadly, some are not
even there anymore.
Faith, religion, and Church
teach us how to be a good and moral society in a framework of justice to
understand and live. When Jesus saw the vast crowd, he felt compassion for them and began
to teach them.
Here are the basics Catholic
Social teachings:
Every human life is sacred
and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral society.
With that dignity, people
have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good, what is good for all of us including the poor and vulnerable. Marriage and the family
are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened,
not undermined.
Every person has a
fundamental right to those things required for human decency. The basic moral
test for society is our respect for the dignity of the poor and vulnerable in a
world that divides rich and poor.
The wealth of the world and
its economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a
way to make a living; it is the way we are to continue to participate in God’s
creation.
We participate in respect
and love for the Creator of all by our stewardship of creation. We protect
people and the planet by living our faith, which includes caring for creation,
its creatures, and this earth.
We are one human family. We
are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our
neighbors is the concept of solidarity and at its core is justice and peace.
John Paul II wrote
solidarity “…goes beyond itself to total gratuity, forgiveness, and
reconciliation. It leads to a new vision of the unity of humankind, a
reflection of God's triune intimate life. ..."
The thing needed to make
this work, subsidiarity. It is handling issues at
the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority and problem
solving as close to the problem as possible, where people know the needs.
Peace holds it all
together. Peace is mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations.
Peace is the fruit of justice.
Look to the one who is our peace. And, the
name they shall give him; The LORD our justice.
To know peace, consent to
peace; consent to justice. To know peace, make the
choice of peace; work for justice. In peace and justice there is no hidden
agenda; only dignity.
Be good. Be Holy and preach
the gospel by the way you live and love. Peace.
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