LESSON 3 | PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR

Resolution to Poverty

• Restitution ​

  • In justice, one must return stolen goods.​

• Reparation ​

  • In justice, one must repair the damage caused to the property of another.​

The moral principle of the universal destination of goods

• that the earth and all its goods belong to God, and he intends these goods to provide what all human beings need in order to live with dignity.​

Gaudium et Spes # 69

God intended the earth and all that it contains for the use of every human being and people. ​

1. Attention must always paid to the universal purpose for which created goods are meant.​

2. ​A man should regard his lawful possession not merely as his own but also a common property.

Primary Intention of the Creator

• Everything here on earth should be used and enjoyed by every human being and people.

Seventh commandment: You shall not steal​

• When we listen to this commandment, we think of the theme of theft and respect for the property of others.

The values being promoted in the 7th commandment

• Justice​

  • is the moral virtue that “consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor.”

• Charity​

  • is the theological virtue by “which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.”

The offenses against the 7th commandment

• Greed​

  • It is the inordinate love of and desire for earthly possessions. Amassing a fortune and trying to accumulate the most stuff is greed.

• Selfishness​

  • concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others​

• Lack of Trust in God/​Atheism​

  • the view that God does not exist. ​

• Danger of riches​

  • The more we love the things of this earth, the harder we shall find it to love God. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt 6:21).​

Ways that people can be poor

• Spiritually Poor: lack a connection with God

• Physically Poor: people with physical disabilities or limitations, lack financial resources, addictions

• Intellectually Poor: people with learning disabilities

• Emotionally Poor: low self esteem, depressed

• Socially Poor: people who are excluded

The Social Mission Of The Church

• examines the signs of the times and interprets them in the light of the Gospel and makes moral judgements on economic and social matters.

• She condemns abuses, injustices and attacks against freedom.

• She struggles for the defense and advancement of the rights of mankind, especially of the poor and the opressed.

Demands of the Option for the Poor

• True Solidarity

• Denunciation and struggle against injustice and oppression.

• Conscientization of the Poor

• Organization of the Poor

• Commitment to the integral liberation of the poor.

How can we fight poverty

• Change attitudes for the poor

• Support full and equal employment and just wage

• Empower the poor to help themselves

• Make education for the poor a top priority

• Continually evaluate how tax system affects the poor

• Reform nation’s welfare programs to help recipients become self-sufficient

• Governmental efforts to preserve and protect family operated farm