Parish Social Ministry

Reflections and thoughts for your consideration based on the social teachings of the church for:

 
The Most Holy Trinity            May 27, 2018
Catholic Social Teaching: Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
 
Someone once described the purpose of life as relationship. On Trinity Sunday, we celebrate the wonder of relationship.  It exists even in God.
 
We have been created with a desire for mutual and loving relationships.  Catholic Social Teaching invites us to work together to create healthy relationships between all of God’s people  - relationship between individuals and also between nations and groups – relationships of mutual respect and collaboration  -  relationships leading toward justice and peace and the fullness of life.
 
The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds the people of the great things that God has done for them, leading the people from slavery into liberation and making them a community.  God always desires healthy, just relationships between peoples.  God wants community.  God wants to free people from all slavery and lead them to live with dignity as children of God.  Today we are invited to enter into this vision.  In the gospel, Jesus commissions the disciples to go out and share this vision with the whole world.
 
The second reading from the letter to the Romans reminds us of our dignity as children of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. The vision reminds us of our Catholic commitment to respect the human rights and dignity of every person.  The vision reminds us that God calls us to live in mutual respect for each other.  This is the way to peace and justice.
 
We read today from Deuteronomy: “You must keep his statues and commandments that I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have a long life on the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you forever.”  We need the wisdom of God and the way of Jesus Christ to get our relationships back in order. Readings and thoughts for your consideration based on the social teachings of the church for the month of June.
 
Corpus Christi   June 3, 2018
Catholic Social Teaching:  Solidarity
 
Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
 
In the story from Exodus, the ritual that unites the people and God goes hand and hand with a commitment to a set of values.  The people say:  We will do everything that the Lord has told us.”  Moses writes down all the words of God, so that they can be faithfully carries out.
 
In the same way, the Eucharist unites the followers of Jesus goes hand and hand with the commitment to the values and teachings of Jesus.  Our prayer as a community, our celebration of Eucharist, must go hand and hand with our commitment to live out the social teaching of Jesus Christ – solidarity with one another – a special concern for the poor – a concern for the earth, the environment, and all creatures – a desire to work in the nonviolence spirit of Jesus – a courage to speak out whenever there is injustice - a commitment to an economic system in which the welfare of all people is what matters.
 
The Christian celebration of the Eucharist is a celebration of the covenant or relationship between God and us.  Catholic Social Teaching invites us to make this covenant real in our social relations. The communion which we share “in church” is a communion which we must be reflected in how we live in society.
 
We can reflect on our communal sacramental celebration of Eucharist:
Does our celebration of the Eucharist reflect the excitement and joy of being one in community?
Does our celebration reflect a spirit of deep “solidarity?”
Are we celebrating our solidarity as the living Mystical Body of Christ?
            + Is everyone welcome?  Is there diversity in our community?
            + How are we in solidarity with the poor in our city and in the world?
            + Do we offer direct service to those in need?
            + Does our solidarity move from the works of charity toward the works of justice?
            + Do we live in a sustainable way respecting creation?
            + How are we the living Body of Christ in the world?
 
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time     June 10, 2018
Catholic Social Teaching:  Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
 
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. 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
 
Today’s readings are about faith and hope, virtues that are much needed in our world where people suffer the “demons” of poverty, racial inequality, or fear of anyone who is different from what is accepted as “normal.”
 
In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes of suffering and the challenge that it places upon faith.  He writes of the hope that comes from faith and the knowledge that, even though this world is passing away, we have our eyes focused on the Kingdom and the new heavens and new earth that will be established at the end of time.
 
Jesus gave freedom to those oppressed by demons because he was rooted in the love of God.  The Pharisees, not being as rooted in the love of God as Jesus was, were not able to bring freedom to those who are suffering. They sought safety in the law; it was familiar and tried.  Jesus stepped outside those boundaries and turned to the indulgent love of God to free the suffering.
 
We, like the Pharisees, are sometimes trapped by our fears and cannot think and act as Jesus did. In order to ask critical questions about why injustice exists, or to step outside of our comfort zone to try something different to alleviate suffering, we must be rooted in God.
 
 
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time    June 17, 2018
Catholic Social Teaching:  Call to Family, Community, and Participation
 
We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together in the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
 
The word of God calls us to have hope in challenging times.
 
Ezekiel in the first reading uses the beautiful image of God planting the cedar tree.
 
The psalmist tells us that “the just one will flourish like a palm tree…they shall bear fruit even in old age…”
 
Paul tells us that “we walk by faith, not by sight…we are courageous…”
 
Jesus talks about the seed that sprouts and grows and produces a harvest, even though we do not know how it happens.
 
Jesus talks about the tiny mustard seed that somehow becomes a great bush that can even be a home for the birds of the sky.
 
The vision of God is bigger that all our limited visions.  The call of God comes to us in the storm.   
We have faith through the vision and values of Jesus.  We have faith that these values will help us as we struggle with the challenges of our time. We have hope that we can discern God’s call in the midst of all the questions.  We pray to have love that will bring us together as a community and allow us to discover God in all things, in all people, and even in all questions.  We are committed to get into action and do something for the common good and especially for those who are in need.
 

Nativity of Saint John the Baptist                  
June 24, 2018
Catholic Social Teaching:  Rights and Responsibilities
 
The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.
 
Today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah, John was the servant made ready and fit for the preaching of God’s word.  His message was one of conversion and repentance.  John would be misunderstood and in the end give his life for the  Wordhe was sent to herald.  But his message not only would reach to the ends of the earth, it would do so for all time.  
 
St. Paul spoke of John, who heralded the Messiah’s coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.  
 
We read today that Elizabeth’s neighbors and relatives rejoice with her because God has shown her mercy in the birth of a son.  But they are confused when she tells them that his name is to be John, which means “God had been gracious.”  Zechariah has been unable to speak since Gabriel appeared, because, unlike Mary, he doubted the angel’s word.  But when he writes on a tablet “John is his name” all are amazed, and a great fear comes upon everyone.  Fear, along with joy and praise, is for Luke the appropriate response to God’s mercy. 
 
John reminds us that we must prepare the way for Christ to come into our hearts and to the hearts of all people everywhere.  He invites us to become evangelists.  John reminds us that we are to preach the good news and repent.  He invites us to share the gospel and to change our lives.
 
In what way does this gospel call your parish to action in the church, parish, neighborhood, or world? 


--Education for Justice   Lectionary Reflections    Fr. John Bucki, S.J.

Let's stay connected. Let's make it easy.