Catholic Caucus, ping!
I never trust anyone who defers to an unnamed, undefined, unlimited "common good." And I don't trust this guy who just did it.
Good stuff. True Catholic social and moral philosophy (much like the teachings of Jesus from which they spring) are often difficult to accept in the harsh glow of our own biases. They are also highly complex and don’t take easily to sound bites and dumbing down, a reality which is taking a really long time for Papa Francis (whom I admire in a lot of ways) to realize.
"44And all they that believed, were together, and had all things common. 45Their possessions and goods they sold, and divided them to all, according as every one had need. 46And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of heart; 47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord increased daily together such as should be saved."
There is a tremendous difference between a community of people who share what they have for the love of God and their neighbor, and an atheistic society where people dress alike, are told where to live and where to work, and who are forced to work, eat, sleep and breathe for the state.
Acts 6:
"1AND in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then the twelve calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. 6These they set before the apostles; and they praying, imposed hands upon them."
Widows and orphans were not neglected. Men and women were chosen and blessed to care for them, and preach the Word to them. Socialism, Communism, Nazism, Marxism, whatever, as it is of the same demonic ilk, would find the helpless as inconvenient, disposable, undesirable- and would forbid the mention of God.
Stewardship is the sharing of our time, talent and treasure. The wealthy of our society too often forget that these are a gift from God. The government should not force it, but a good Christian heart will have compassion; acknowledge their own need to love God and neighbor, and thus choose to help those in need.
Those may be someone you know, who through no fault of their own, is unable to find gainful employment due to injury, lack of available work, or discrimination. Could a true Christan enjoy a hundred dollar a plate dinner while a friend or relative is the patron of a food pantry? Good fortune is a gift from God, as is poverty, for the latter turns the soul to Him, recognizing its true dependence on Him. It is the love of God that should inspire one to share the good fortune they were blessed with. The atheistic social systems mentioned above are without compassion; are loyal only to the government, with which the person's sense of entitlement is shared.
THIS sums it up:
“I am talking about our own serious responsibility to constantly grow in self-knowledge, to become more aware each day of the limitations of our own recognition patterns. We do this precisely by subjecting them again and again to prayer and reflection based on the teaching Church. This is called polishing the glass. Without it, we will not see anything at all.”
We grow and progress in our intimate relationship with the Lord and HE removes the splinters and darkness from our minds and hearts. The more we are united with HIM, the more we will be united with one another.
I though that was communism.