Week 37: Passages 1865-1933

These reading finish up the topic of sin, discussing the proliferation of sin, and the idea of social sin.

Then we dive into:
Chapter Two: The Human Community

Article 1The Person and Society

I. The Communal Character of the Human Vocation
People need to live in society and it is through living in community that humans fulfil their vocations. However the society must operate for the common good and should infringe on the rights of the individual.
II. Conversion and Society
Sin can pervert society. Conversion and grace are necessary. Charity leads to social reforms.

Article 2 Participation in Social Life

I. Authority

"Human Society can neither be well-ordered nor prosperous unless it has
some people invested with legitimate authority to preserve its institutions and
to devote themselves as far as is necessary to work and care for the good of
all." (CCC 1897)

Just authority derives from God. We have a duty of obedience to just authority. Such authority seeks the common good ans uses morally licit means to obtain it.

II. The Common Good

"Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you
were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together."
(CCC 1905)

Common good has three essential elements:

• respect for the person
• social well-being and development of the group
• peace and security

Humanity around the world is increasingly interconnected, we need to establish a universal common good. The common good is always geared toward human progress, "founded in truth, built up by justice and animated by love." (CCC 1912)

III. Responsibility and Participation
People are obligated to promote the common good both through personal responsibility and public life.
Those in authority should strengthen the values that encourage members of the group to serve others.

"Participation begins with education and culture. 'One is entitled to
think that the future of humanity is in the hands of those who are capable of
providing the generations to come with reasons for life and optimism.'" (CCC
1917)

Article 3 Social Justice
I. Respect for the Human Person
Social justice is linked to the common good and legitimate authority, and can only be obtained by respecting the transcendent dignity of man.

"Respect for the human person proceeds by way of respect for the principle
that 'everyone should look upon his neighbor (without any exception) as 'another
self', above all bearing in mind his life and the means necessary for living it
with dignity.'"

This duty is even more urgent in regards to the poor and disadvantaged. This duty also extends to those who think and act differently from us. Christ requires forgiveness, we hate evil but must love our enemies.

Questions for Reflection

• In what ways do we work to promote the common good in our personal and public lives?
• How can we instill in our children the virtues that inspire them to service of others?
• Do we love our enemies? And how can we teach our children to do so also? Passage 1933 (about loving those who think differently from us and loving our enemies) makes me think of sibling rivalry! I am going to try to keep these readings in mind the next time I am refereeing a sibling squabble. Social justice begins at home :)