AN INVITATION

"Many people are wounded by life; they are excluded from economic progress, and are without a home, a family, a job; there are people who are lost in a world of false illusions, or have abandoned all hope." (Message of John Paul II from WYD 2002)

Jesus' call in favor of the poor (Option for the Poor) tells us of the need to not only study and learn but act.

OPEN THE BIBLE

"Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." (Mt 25:34-36, 40)

These words are from Jesus' statement on the last judgment. They shake us up and invite us to take action. They also bring hope. Today, disciples of Jesus continue to bring liberation and show solidarity to those who need it most: prisoners, the sick and the poor.

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

• In your local community, how do poverty and exclusion reveal themselves?

• Who are the hungry, the sick, the prisoners, the strangers?

• How does this relate to the Passionist Charism?

WHAT CAN WE DO?

It is normal to feel helpless at first when we are confronted with human suffering and injustice. What can we do to combat unemployment, illness, or malnutrition? Our feeling of helplessness at times turns into total confusion when evil and its consequences take on huge, perhaps even global proportions. What can we do in the face of war and terrorism, or the inexplicable horror that was September 11, 2001, in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, or the violence in Palestine and elsewhere? And yet, when Confronted by the: vast expanse of human suffering", in his book Jesus Before Christianity (Orbis Books, 1994), Dominican theologian Albert Nolan wrote: "My work is to discover what we can do about it."

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

• What are some of the justice and solidarity issues that should concern us in your city/town today?

• What are some of the justice and solidarity issues that should concern us at a regional
or global level?

• What can you do to promote justice and solidarity?

CHRISTIAN SOLIDARITY AT THE SERVICE OF JUSTICE

At the heart of the Church's faith lies unwavering conviction that we can do something to fight against blind self-centeredness, against injustice. This conviction is founded on the faith that Jesus himself has in our capacity to love and to forgive despite all opposition: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (Jn 13:35)

In Ecclesia in America, Pope John Paul II denounces "social sins" that are obstacles to the practice of justice and solidarity.

The Church's social doctrine also makes possible a clearer appreciation of the gravity of the "social sins which cry to heaven because they generate violence, disrupt peace and harmony between communities within single nations, between nations, and between the different regions of the continent." Among these must be mentioned "the drug trade, the recycling of illicit funds, corruption at every level, the terror of violence, the arms race, racial discrimination, inequality between social groups and the irrational destruction of nature". These sins are the sign of a deep crisis caused by the loss of a sense of God and the absence of those moral principles which should guide the life of every person. (John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in America" [The Church in America], 1999, no. 56)

Over 20 years ago, during his 1984 visit to Canada, Pope John Paul II had already drawn from the gospel urgent global applications of the values of justice and solidarity. In his homily in Edmonton on September 17th of that year, he encouraged the rich nations to do an examination of conscience concerning the plight of the poor countries.

A WORLD UNDER THE INFLUENCE

In order to discover what we can do to serve our brothers and sisters, we must first understand the world in which we live. Our societies are influenced by three major characteristics:

1. On a political level, the difficult search for freedom and democracy,

2. On an economic level, the powerful hold of global neo-liberalism,

3. On all levels, the growing influences of communications technologies.

All societies are not affected in the same way, but all are affected.

1. Political Power

Even though no one is against virtue, we often hear from various parts of the world that freedom and democracy are in trouble, that human rights are being flouted.

For example, we find that
• Governments are influenced by the rich,
• The media manipulates the public,
• politics are often far removed from reality,
• the decision process is too slow.

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

• What big or small things can we do to give freedom and democracy a chance?

2. Economic Power

One of the major trademarks of the present economy, referred to as the neo-liberal economy, is that it tolerates some persons or societies accumulating enormous wealth while others remain mired in poverty.

A quick overview of history shows that, while communism led to certain abuses, liberal capitalism leads to profound inequities between the societies of the North and those of the South, as well as within countries.

Left totally on its own, the effects of such a system are the continual deepening of the gulf between the rich and the poor.

3. Media Power

Increasingly, a lot of information is circulated around the planet at incredible speed, the public in over-exposed to the media. Being informed is great. It stimulates one's intelligence, creativity, and commitment. But the power of information has its snares and pitfalls.

Here are two:

. It is not unusual for important news such as a famine ravaging a developing country or massive layoffs of employees to be shelved in favor of news of greater entertainment value, such as events in the career of a national or international star.

. Not everyone has equal access to information, entertainment and forums of debate. For example, only 20% of the world's population has direct access to a telephone. Also, even in wealthy countries, not everyone has the ability or the financial means to make their opinion known in the media.

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

• Draw up two lists: the first showing the means of communication enjoyed by the
rich societies, and the second showing those accessible to the poor.

• With the help of these two lists, add a phrase to Jesus’ statement on the last judgment at the beginning of this formation piece.

THE CHALLENGE OF DIVERSITY

There are no doubt many other characteristics that could be applied to the societies in which we live. Among those that call for serious examination in the practice of justice and solidarity is the situation of Native and Aboriginal peoples in various countries.

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

“I Was Hungry…” Now concentrate on situations of suffering, exclusion and poverty that exist in society. Whether or not these are part of our lives, we regularly witness heartbreaking human situations of this mature. Identify in the list of problems below those that you see around you.

Alcoholism
Drug addiction
Economic poverty
Famine
Gambling
Isolation
Prostitution
Racism
Sexism
Suicide
Violence
Others?

. What resources are you aware of in your area to help those in need?

SEEKING THE CAUSES

Solidarity with people living in situations of poverty, suffering or exclusion leads us to seek the causes of these situations. Identify in the list below statements that, according to you, sum up some causes of poverty, then add more in your own words:

• Poverty is inherited.
• Isolation is a vicious cycle.
• Obsession with productivity writes off the least productive.
• Globalization of the economy creates pockets of poverty.

When we lift the veil on the causes of poverty, we quickly discover that a number of phenomena are intertwined. The problem is complex; simple explanations are not easily found. Above all, poverty is a social phenomenon that requires collective solutions.

The ability of citizens to influence society helps them show solidarity. We all have the ability to bring about change, even if it is on a small scale. Jesus says that a simple glass of water given in his name is a great gesture. Feeling that we can change things helps us take action in society.

THE PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR

In his statement on the last judgment, Jesus doesn’t just draw attention to people who are suffering. He identifies with them; he joins with them:
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40)

These words of Jesus profoundly marked the lives of his disciples and continue to do so. An example of this can be found in the following excerpts from the address Pope Paul VI gave to members of the United Nations on October 4, 1965:

"What you are proclaiming here are the fundamental rights and duties of man, his dignity, his freedom . Your task is to see that there be sufficient bread on the table of humanity . But it is not enough to feed the starving; as well, each man must be assured a life in keeping with his dignity."

From Jesus to Paul VI, as from the prophets of the Old Testament to those of our times, the great heralds of the Word of God never stopped inviting to the "table of humanity" all who have been excluded or whose dignity had been wounded.

. "The surplus of the rich is the essentials of the poor." St. Augustine said.

. "Man is but the steward of his goods, not the owner." St. Basil said.

The Church has summarized this legacy and this project into a phrase filled with consequences: “the preferential option for the poor.” Pope John Paul II talks about this in his Apostolic Letter on the new millennium, Novo millenio ineunte.

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

• What examples can you see of young people taking this path of a preferential
option for the poor in their lives of service?

• How does the preferential option for the poor inspire you?
“

from Joyce Hansen, Detroit USA
youthmin@passionist.org