Am I and are we living "Charity in Truth"?

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Whatever the country where, we may have been born, we have been created to live in His Image and likeness as the Gospel for today reminds us. Let us ponder these words of “Charity in Truth” posted below and examine our own attitudes on the dignity God has given to us, each personally, and how we have lived thus far. Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us. I ask myself and I ask you to ask yourself, do we live and work as He did?

1. No consideration of the problems associated with development could fail to highlight the direct link between poverty and unemployment. In many cases, poverty results from a violation of the dignity of human work, either because work opportunities are limited (through unemployment or underemployment), or “because a low value is put on work and the rights that flow from it, especially the right to a just wage and to the personal security of the worker and his or her family”. For this reason, on 1 May 2000 on the occasion of the Jubilee of Workers, my venerable predecessor Pope John Paul II issued an appeal for “a global coalition in favour of ‘decent work”’, supporting the strategy of the International Labour Organization. In this way, he gave a strong moral impetus to this objective, seeing it as an aspiration of families in every country of the world. What is meant by the word “decent” in regard to work? It means work that expresses the essential dignity of every man and woman in the context of their particular society: work that is freely chosen, effectively associating workers, both men and women, with the development of their community; work that enables the worker to be respected and free from any form of discrimination; work that makes it possible for families to meet their needs and provide schooling for their children, without the children themselves being forced into labour; work that permits the workers to organize themselves freely, and to make their voices heard; work that leaves enough room for rediscovering one’s roots at a personal, familial and spiritual level; work that guarantees those who have retired a decent standard of living.

“O Jesus, living in Mary, come and live in your servants, in the spirit of holiness, in the fullness of your power, in the perfection of your ways, in the truth of your virtues, in the communion of your mysteries. Rule over every adverse power, in your Spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.” ( prayer of Father Jean Jacques Olier, S.S. (1608-1657)

 

[patricius79]

What a beautiful message, MariaChrist, in a world where some people have an overly-capitalistic approach–or a socialist approach.

Some might see the Pope Benedict’s ideas as utopianism. But he’s well aware that this world always involves pain. But if we really seek Jesus through Mary, trusing entirely in them, we can find the peace and joy for which we are created, in the face of all adversities.

Truly, prayer is the best thing for any economy.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks for your reply, brother Pat!

The whole world is the concern of every Pope, it seems to me, for Jesus came to save all men. So too each of us needs to have the Mind and Heart of Christ. If we are to love God truly then we need to listen to Jesus’ Words to His first disciples: “This is My Commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you”.

St. Augustine framed the choice as building the City of God or the city of man. Either we love God to the contempt of self or we love self to the contempt of God. Pope Franicis has been warning the Church about “worldliness”, but I’m not sure many have been listening to God’s Word as our recent Popes have been speaking.

In this excerpt from “Charity in Truth” I put the words in bold that emphasize “decent work” and “aspirations of families”. As Catholics we need to look at ourselves and our families and see if we are living as Christ has taught us, so that we might be His Love and His Light in our world. Yes, prayer is essential for us, for without God we can do nothing.

The Holy Family is an example for families; and Mary, in particular is given as Mother and Model for the whole Church. Every man, woman and child can look to her as a human person who by God’s Grace brought Christ to others. By God’s grace let us set our minds and hearts on doing the same. The Family Rosary could be a great start.