Catholic Social Teaching
Journal
Matt Hohenberger
1. Building Blocks
The Ten Building Blocks of Catholic Social Teaching
1.The Principle of Human Dignity
2.Principle of Respect for Human Life
3.Principle of Association
4.Principle of Participation
5.Principle of Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable
6.Principle of Solidarity
7.Principle of Stewardship
8.Principle of Subsidiarity
9.Principle of Human Equality
10.The Principle of the Common Good
One of the building blocks of Catholic Social Teaching that I see present in our city and country is the Respect for Human Life. “Every person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity.” (Reflections, pp.1-2) When I was in grade school I visited a nursing home with my class, and this was the first time I realized how much time and effort was put into helping the elderly. I have also been to the hospital on many other occasions where I see both infants struggling for their life and the elderly or older people in a sickly condition or after surgery. Although there are many errors in our Medical system, abortion and euthanasia, I think that the United States puts forth a good effort to respect human life. Even with the legality of abortion in America, I feel the immense strength that comes from the pro-Life marches on Washington. Another tough situation is when life-support is the only reason for a person’s ability to live, which is not consistent with human dignity. While there is room for improvement in the hospital system, I think that each person has their rights for life respected.
At SLUH, I see The Principle of Participation alive and kicking. We have a great number of clubs, sports, and other activities that allows the student body to exercise their mind, body, and spirit. We range from the math club to the water polo team to the Pax Christi club. The wide variety of clubs gives everybody a chance to participate and feel like they belong to the school. “Without participation, the benefits available to an individual … can not be realized.” If I had gone to Vianney, I would never have realized my potential for being a water polo goalie (because they don’t have a team.) These clubs have also allowed me to realize my leadership qualities which will undoubtedly help me for the real life. I feel bad for a student when I notice that they do not participate in an activity and feel apart from the school freshmen year, but during the next few years I have noticed those same people involved in the school and happier than ever. The numerous activities at SLUH encourage the student body in bringing the best out of everyone.
The Principle of Association is not as apparent in the United States as I think it could be. “The centerpiece of society is the family,” but I think that the family has been undermined by the thirst for profit and success. I think that some jobs in large corporations take away either the father or mother or both, as my dad used to go overseas to work every other month. “How we organize our society – in economics and politics, in law and policy – directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in the community.” I think the way of life that is set up in the United States does not positively affect the human dignity because there is too much greed in the American life. Tobacco lobbyists do not care about American society, they only care about their companies and the profit they are making. The lobbyists are a major association that I think degrades the dignity of human beings, and something needs to be done to protect the dignity of the every day man.
At SLUH, the Principle of Stewardship is sometimes absent. We are called to take care of the home that we live in five days a week, but we still ignore the trash that is in the hallway. There are incidents of theft, such as someone cutting through the metal cages in the locker room last year for CLIFF Bars, taking things from cubby holes, and just random stealing of calculators and books. As a family, brothers, we need to take care of our school and each other. We need to start acting like men for others.
2. One of the main ideas from this section in Our Moral Life in Christ is that the “family is the first school of social justice.” I know that most of my foundational lessons came from my parents, and these are the things that I remember most about Christianity. My favorite Catholic memory is sitting in bed after my mom taped a copy of the Lord’s Prayer to my dresser and then I attempted to memorize it. When my parents began teaching me how everyone deserves love and respect, I noticed that the atmosphere in our house was much more peaceful, relaxed, and loving. The most important lessons we learn are from our parents, and they must not be lessons of scandal or harshness. Once the Christian charity is taught in a child’s home, the child will then be able to live the life of charity he or she was taught.
Another key idea in this section is the Good Samaritan. It is a simple form of loving one’s neighbor, and “true love of neighbor is the foundation of all the social teachings of the Church.” The Good Samaritan, in the face of discrimination and hatred, showed his love for the beaten down man. This is what we are called to do, take care of those in need. The guidelines are clearly evident on how to be a Good Samaritan in the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Our lives should be formed around the principle of charity so that we will be apt to helping out those in need. When we act out of charity and love, we lead the life Christ calls us to and spread the will of God through example.
3) One image that captures the chapter for me:
4) One Key question from this section.
Why is “an obtuse spirit” such a bad sin?
Jesus wants to forgive us, but we must want to be forgiven. It doesn’t matter what we did, he wants us to be reconciled with him and live in his love for us. But when we refuse to admit that we did wrong and we find it too much effort and embarrassment to go back to the first wrong turn and start over, we are not able to be forgiven. If we don’t want to be forgiven, then we will be separated from Jesus until we renew that bond. Without Jesus in our lives, we are lost and it takes even more to return to God’s love. Jesus doesn’t care as much about what we do, but that we are sorry for doing it and that we want to return to his forgiveness is what matters.
To see the source of the picture, simply click on it.
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