The Pope isn’t Marxist and he isn’t Capitalist. He’s the Pope. I don’t know why that’s so difficult.
He (the Pope) is saying we shouldn’t put our ultimate trust in any economic system, “capitalism” or “communism” or anything in-between. The ultimate hope for all humanity doesn’t lie in anything man creates on his own. It lies in Jesus.
This is the Gospel. This is what the encyclical is about (the Gospel). And it (the encyclical) is about how the Gospel message is spread.
It’s not spread through communism.
It’s not spread through capitalism.
Again, we shouldn’t put our trust in either system to truly lift anyone up, not in the way that really helps anyone.
Put another way: No one can argue that capitalism is by far the most successful economic system for lifting people out of economic poverty. But at the end if the day, do you really believe anyone is “helped” by just having more money? Sure it’s part of helping people to give them the means to make enough money to live with dignity. But this isn’t what is ENTIRELY meant by “helping the poor”.
And this is the danger His Holiness is taking about. Putting our trust in a system, any system really, to “help” the poor, when at the end of the day all that has been done is to “help” them financially.
The Gospel isn’t about how to make money. It’s about how we are saved and how we can and do become a new and better creation through Jesus Christ.
That’s all the Pope is saying. Anyone (including Rush) who reads more into it than that is, I would submit, probably feeling (rightfully) guilty deep down inside that they aren’t really doing anything to help the poor. No matter how much money given to a charity.
Let us pray for Francis, our Pope.
May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. [Psalm 40:3)
O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Francis, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
He said he wants an economic system with more "justice" and "inclusiveness." That has absolutely nothing to do with your interpretation. If he had said what you said, quoted below, I'd be all for it. But he didn't, not even close. It's wishful thinking on your part.
The Gospel isn’t about how to make money. It’s about how we are saved and how we can and do become a new and better creation through Jesus Christ.
Great post. Thanks.