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Part 2. Together We Are Strong: THE CHURCH'S SOCIAL MISSION
Topic 2: Faith and Justice [1]
Behind DOCAT
The spiritual mission of the Church is pretty obvious: to get people to Heaven. But the Church also cares about the physical and emotional well-being of her children and not just their spiritual health. The human person is body and soul, and the Church cares for both. This is why the social doctrine of the Church is so important. Making a better world here and now goes hand in hand with our heavenly destiny. To be a Christian means caring that others are fed both spiritually and physically. There are many ways to do this, and so the Church puts forth guidelines and principles in her social teaching, and it is up to us to put those into practice.
Read DOCAT
Read the content under DOCAT# 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 (numbers in blue circle) from DOCAT p.40~p.45. [2]
What Does DOCAT Say?
According to DOCAT#30, what is the relationship between development aid and the proclamation of the faith?
What basic characteristics must a political or societal model have for the Church to approve it?
Why does the Church speak out on social questions?
Answer the above questions [Click Here]
What Does the Bible Say?
Read Matthew 13:33. How does the analogy of yeast leavening dough in Matthew 13:33 shed light on the way Christians should work in society?
Read Mark 12:17. What do you owe to God? What do you owe to Caesar (the government or society in general)? Do you think your duty to God and your duty to society are ever in conflict? Why or why not?
Read the description of true religion in James 1:27. St. Thomas Aquinas explained that some acts of religion are focused on God directly (such as sacrifice and prayer), while other acts of religion honor God by obeying his commands. Why do you think both of these kinds of acts are necessary for true religion?
Answer the above questions [Click Here]
DO Reflect
The Church does not create political policies or tell society what exactly to do to solve individual problems. It is the job of the individual Christian, especially the lay Christian, to be involved in politics and specific social causes. This means that you are called to work toward building that city of man “in greater conformity with the Kingdom of God” (Compendium of Social Doctrine, 63). There are many ways to do this, and each of us answers this call according to our own unique gifts and opportunities. How we put the principles of the Church’s social doctrine into concrete practice will be somewhat different for each one of us, but we must all get involved!
Which social problem(s) do you feel most strongly about? Why?
What talents do you have that could help you work toward a solution to that problem?
Answer the above reflection questions [Click Here]
DO Chat
As the hands and feet of Christ, what can we do to get involved in politics? What can others do to be involved in the political process even if they aren’t old enough to vote?
What would you say to someone who claims that the Church has no right to speak out about the problems of a secular society?
Answer the above questions [Click Here]
DO Challenge
Pray: Take some time each day this week to pray for your elected officials.
Seek: Ask God how he wants you to be more involved in working for a better society.
Act: If you are old enough to vote, make sure you are registered with your current address.
References / Citations
[1] DOCAT Study Guide. San Francisco, Calif: Ignatius Press, 2016.
[2] DOCAT: What to do? The Social Teaching of the Catholic Church. San Francisco, Calif: Ignatius Press, 2016.
[3] BibleGateway (online bible). https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Good-News-Translation-GNT-Bible/
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