Our 'new Evangelization' Must Get To The Root Of Social Ills
The last three popes have called us to a “new evangelization.” Our faith is to be reawakened to the Gospel of Jesus so that we may become “missionary disciples,” which involves caring for the poor. Pope Francis says that we are to “find Christ in them, to lend our voices to their causes, but also to be their friends, to listen to them, to speak for them and to embrace the mysterious wisdom which God wishes to share with us through them” (Evangelii Gaudium 198). Mother Teresa, after her morning adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, told her sisters, “Now let us go and find Christ among the poor.” Only saints have such clarity of vision that connects faith and life.
Although we must be concerned about the physical needs of the poor, Pope Francis claims that “the worst discrimination which the poor suffer is the lack of spiritual care. The great majority of the poor have a special openness to the faith; they need God and we must not fail to offer them his friendship, his blessing, his word, the celebration of the sacraments and a journey of growth and maturity in the faith. Our preferential option for the poor must mainly translate into a privileged and preferential religious care” (E.G. 200). How would we react if an obviously poor man entered our Church on Sunday? Would we greet and welcome him? Would we avoid him? Would he find Christ in our love to the point where he might desire to join the Church?
As mentioned in a previous article, Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment has shown me the truth of Pope Francis’ words “Welfare projects, which meet certain urgent needs, should be considered merely temporary responses. As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved … no solution will be found for the world’s problems” (E.G. 202). CAJE attacks the structural foundation of inequality “which is the root of social ills” (E.G.202).
The Holy Father recognizes that “Business is … a noble vocation, provided that those engaged in it see themselves challenged by a greater meaning in life, this will enable them truly to serve the common good by striving to increase the goods of this world and to make them more accessible to all” (E.G. 203). The Most Rev. John Sheets, former auxiliary bishop of Ft. Wayne-South Bend and founder of Creighton University’s Spirituality Program, believed that God gives certain persons the gift to make money. However, their money is not only meant to be spent on themselves. God gives them this gift in order to share their wealth with others – as Jesus taught us, “To the one who has received much, much is expected.”
The pope even praises politicians: “Politics, though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good” (E.G. 204). The Holy Father prays for good politicians: “I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor! It is vital that government leaders and financial leaders take heed and broaden their horizons, working to ensure that all citizens have dignified work, education and healthcare. Why not turn to God and ask him to inspire their plans? I am firmly convinced that openness to the transcendent can bring about a new political and economic mindset which help us to bring down the wall of separation between the economy and the common good of society” (E.G. 205).
Christians are to be merciful and just so that everyone can live in the hope of a world made new!
