Back to School Shopping & Social Justice

This is the time of year when students are preparing to head back to school. In recent years, this has also been an occasion for families to go on shopping sprees, filling their homes with new clothes and gadgets. It is important to realize, though, that the consumer mentality in this country of buying things because they are cheap or because advertising has created the desire for them has resulted in poverty and environmental problems in other countries.
       So, this year, as you do your back-to-school shopping ask yourself a few questions: 

• Do I really need this item, or is someone else (like a TV ad) telling me that I want it?
• If I need the item, do I really need a new one, or will a used one serve my needs just fine? Have I looked in thrift and second-hand stores lately?
• What do I know about the people who made the item? Was it most likely produced in a facility with fair labor practices, or was it most likely made with sweatshop labor? 

Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
 

Mary & Social Justice

This Sunday, we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and we hear in the gospel Mary's song of social justice, the Magnificat. With a careful read, it is easy to see that the mother of Jesus was a radical proponent of social justice:

[The Almighty] has shown the strength of his arm,
      and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
      and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
      and the rich he has sent away empty.

What can we do this week to lift up the lowly and fill the hungry with good things? It's what our Mother would like us to do!
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
 

"Much Will Be Required" & Social Justice

The gospel for this Sunday ends with Jesus saying to his disciples, "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." In the United States, we have been entrusted with much: rich natural resources, fertile land that can produce much food, an abundant supply of clean water, and a temperate climate that supports a wide range of human activity, such as industry and tourism. As a result, our nation has emerged as a world leader in nearly every respect.

       In such a blessed position, God demands much of us. With our power and resources, we have a biblical obligation to do even more than other nations to bring about God's reign on earth. Therefore, it is important for us as a nation to promote the cause of justice and mercy throughout the world. We are uniquely called upon to be promoters of the common good and agents of peace, reconciliation, and environmentalism. Our bishops realize this, and are constantly asking Catholics to make their voices heard on such issues. For an overview of current issues and an easy way to make your voice heard, go to http://capwiz.com/catholicbishops/home/.
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)