by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
On Thursday, February 20, the World Day of Social Justice will be observed. This is a day when countries are asked to recommit to address issues such as poverty, social exclusion and unemployment, which were among the goals of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen.
The greatest commandment Jesus gave us is to love God and love our neighbour. We are a long way from fulfilling this commandment which lies at the heart of social justice. Last month, CCSJ’s monthly TV programme Ask Why focused on two key Catholic virtues/values: Love and Peace. You can listen to the one-hour programme via CCSJ’s website and read our latest Newsletter.
Each month, as part of our attempts to fulfil the mandate of our Third Pastoral Priority – Regenerating the Moral and Spiritual Values of our Society, our Ask Why programme will focus on at least two virtues/values. On Tuesday, February 25 we will focus on Respect and Responsibility – key issues for us, especially during the Carnival season. These one-hour shows will provide material for parishes, schools, etc. as the faithful seek to implement their Pastoral Plans.
We are also printing some bumper stickers with the wording “Let your Christian values lead you” and some pocket cards with a list of moral values and virtues that will assist us in our daily decision-making.
Do come along to the two free events that CCSJ has organised for the World Day of Social Justice, which have been advertised in the Catholic News – a Panel Discussion at Bourg Mulatresse on Thursday, February 20, and an exhibition at NALIS on Friday, February 21 featuring a spoken word segment. Also, share your creativity by entering CCSJ’s Digital Media Competition. We urge you to share with your parish priests and principals your creative ideas about how we can implement the Third Pastoral Priority.
While we observe World Day of Social Justice, let us prepare ourselves for Lent by reading Pope Francis’ Lenten Message based on the theme, “He became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). He asks us to offer charity this Lent to the materially, morally and spiritually destitute, and says we must give until it hurts if we truly wish to be Christ-like. He adds: “I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt…In imitation of our Master, we Christians are called to confront the poverty of our brothers and sisters, to touch it, to make it our own and to take practical steps to alleviate it…”
He focuses on “material, moral and spiritual” destitution. The first refers to “poverty, and affects those living in conditions opposed to human dignity: those who lack basic rights and needs such as food, water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to develop and grow culturally”. Moral destitution “consists in slavery to vice and sin” such as alcohol, drugs, gambling or pornography. And, we experience spiritual destitution when we turn away from God and reject His love.
“If we think we don’t need God who reaches out to us through Christ, because we believe we can make do on our own, we are headed for a fall. God alone can truly save and free us. The Gospel is the real antidote to spiritual destitution… may this Lenten season find the whole Church ready to bear witness to all those who live in material, moral and spiritual destitution the Gospel message of the merciful love of God our Father, who is ready to embrace everyone in Christ…
“When power, luxury and money become idols, they take priority over the need for a fair distribution of wealth. Our consciences thus need to be converted to justice, equality, simplicity and sharing.”
Call the CCSJ parish link Coordinator for your Vicariate if you wish to find out more about the three dimensions of basic justice: commutative justice, distributive justice, and social justice.
Read also Pope Francis’ message for the 29th World Youth Day which will be celebrated on Palm Sunday – April 13. His theme is “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). I end with words from this powerful message: “May Mary, Mother of the poor and Star of the new evangelisation help us to live the Gospel, to embody the Beatitudes in our lives, and to have the courage always to be happy.”
