Option for the Poor and Vulnerable:
Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt. 25) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
(Archdiocese of St. Paul—Minneapolis)
For many of us this is the great challenge of our social teachings. It is so easy to pass the blame on to those who are the most vulnerable, without stepping back to look at the structures that we have in place which allow people to fall into desperate poverty.
No matter your personal political views, the just question to ask is how is the current budget crisis going to harm the most vulnerable members of our society? How can we: republicans, democrats, independents, tea partiers, green partiers… how can we reach beyond our own perspective and put the needs of the poor first? This is the mandate of the Gospel. There is nothing easy about this mandate, no quick fixes, no magic practices – it requires a change of heart, of focus, of priorities. While none of us can fix the system alone; each of us can take a small step to positively impact the life of a poor person. What step might you feel called to take today?
Blessings and peace,
Carol
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