Joy and solidarity with the poor

/ 9 January 2014

I've been rereading Pope Francis' exhortation, evangelii gaudium, in preparation for my class tomorrow. I am once again struck by the beauty and freshness of his words, and the deep commitment he expresses to solidarity and joy in seeking God's just reign. Here is Fr. Jim Martin's interview with Stephen Colbert, emphasizing the Pope's invitation to solidarity:

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And here are some quotes from the document:

... some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system. (#54)

or

quoting John Chrysostom: "Not to share one's wealth with the poor is to steal from them and to take away their livelihood. It is not our own goods which we hold, but theirs." (#57)

or

The Pope loves everyone, rich and poor alike, but he is obliged in the name of Christ to remind all that the rich must help, respect and promote the poor. (#58)

or

Today in many places we hear a call for greater security. But until exclusion and inequality in society and between peoples are reversed, it will be impossible to eliminate violence. (#59)

This document has much, much more to offer, too. In it he speaks of the joy of the Gospel, of preparation for preaching, of social communication. I suspect I will be returning to it again, and not simply in the context of a class.

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