San Pedro Region Social Justice Ministry

Parish social justice ministry resources from the San Pedro Region Social Justice Committee

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Tag Archives: living wage

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 27, 2015 Lectionary Reflection

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Barb Born
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September 27, 2015:  Twenty-sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Catholic Social Teaching: Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

Through work, we continually participate in upholding life in God’s creation. By supporting a living wage and safe working conditions, economic justice aligns with the common good in respecting worker’s dignity by providing the necessities of life.
“By his work and industriousness, man—who has a share in the divine art and wisdom—makes creation, the cosmos already ordered by the Father, more beautiful. He summons the social and community energies that increase the common good, above all to the benefit of those who are neediest…” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 266     From: https://cst74life.wordpress.com

Readings

First Reading: Numbers 11:25-29

Psalm:19:8, 10, 12-13, 14

Second Reading: James 5:1-6

Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Catechism of the Catholic Church

 

Scandal can be provoked by laws or institutions, by fashion or opinion.

Therefore, they are guilty of scandal who establish laws or social structures leading to the decline of morals and the corruption of religious practice, or to “social conditions that, intentionally or not, make Christian conduct and obedience to the Commandments difficult and practically impossible.” This is also true of business leaders who make rules encouraging fraud, teachers who provoke their children to anger, or manipulators of public opinion who turn it away from moral values. (2286) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Twenty-sixth Sunday of  Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:

James 5:1-6

The Church’s love for the poor is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, by the poverty of Jesus and by his attention to the poor. This love concerns material poverty and also the numerous forms of cultural and religious poverty. The Church, “since her origin and in spite of the failing of many of her members, has not ceased to work for their relief, defence and liberation through numerous works of charity which remain indispensable always and everywhere”. Prompted by the Gospel injunction, “You have received without paying, give without pay” (Mt 10:8), the Church teaches that one should assist one’s fellow man in his various needs and fills the human community with countless works of corporal and spiritual mercy. “Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God”, even if the practice of charity is not limited to alms-giving but implies addressing the social and political dimensions of the problem of poverty. In her teaching the Church constantly returns to this relationship between charity and justice: “When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice”. The Council Fathers strongly recommended that this duty be fulfilled correctly, remembering that “what is already due in justice is not to be offered as a gift of charity”. Love for the poor is certainly “incompatible with immoderate love of riches or their selfish use” (cf. Jas 5:1-6). (184)

James 5:4

The awareness that “the form of this world is passing away” (1 Cor 7:31) is not an exoneration from being involved in the world, and even less from work (cf. 2 Thes 3:7-15),which is an integral part of the human condition, although not the only purpose of life. No Christian, in light of the fact that he belongs to a united and fraternal community, should feel that he has the right not to work and to live at the expense of others (cf. 2 Thes 3:6-12). Rather, all are charged by the Apostle Paul to make it a point of honour to work with their own hands, so as to “be dependent on nobody” (1 Thes 4:12), and to practise a solidarity which is also material by sharing the fruits of their labour with “those in need” (Eph 4:28). Saint James defends the trampled rights of workers: “Behold, the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts” (Jas 5:4). Believers are to undertake their work in the style of Christ and make it an occasion for Christian witness, commanding “the respect of outsiders” (1 Thes 4:12). (264)

Remuneration is the most important means for achieving justice in work relationships.The “just wage is the legitimate fruit of work”.

They commit grave injustice who refuse to pay a just wage or who do not give it in due time and in proportion to the work done (cf. Lv 19:13; Dt 24:14-15; Jas 5:4). A salary is the instrument that permits the labourer to gain access to the goods of the earth. “Remuneration for labour is to be such that man may be furnished the means to cultivate worthily his own material, social, cultural, and spiritual life and that of his dependents, in view of the function and productiveness of each one, the conditions of the factory or workshop, and the common good”.The simple agreement between employee and employer with regard to the amount of pay to be received is not sufficient for the agreed-upon salary to qualify as a “just wage”, because a just wage “must not be below the level of subsistence” of the worker: natural justice precedes and is above the freedom of the contract.  (302)

For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

You start the day, your breakfast sits before you as a gift to start and nourish your day.  A cup of coffee, bowl of oatmeal with dried cherries, walnuts, cinnamon and a sliced banana provides a meal encompassing global dimensions.  Coffee from Guatemala, oats harvested in mid-western fields, cherries from fruit trees in Washington, walnuts picked in California’s Central Valley, cinnamon from Viet Nam and a banana from Ecuador.  From the time the food was planted, tended, harvested, processed, packaged, transported and placed on a shelf in a grocery store, how many people were responsible for you being able to eat your breakfast?   A meal considered a luxury in many parts of the globe.  Have you thought if those people were not doing their job, you would not have breakfast?  Were the workers paid a living wage, so they could provide for the material, social, cultural and spiritual life of themselves and their families?  Do you take time to know where your food comes from?  Was the food grown to respect creation with sustainable practices?  Does your coffee and bananas have fair trade certification?  Our food cannot be taken for granted, for it is produced in the web of humanity’s interconnectedness.

The precepts of the Lord give joy to our hearts and we must view living with luxury and pleasure with disdain as it only rots with time, physically and to one’s heart.  In a consumer driven culture, these prophetic words may be difficult to pronounce.  To ignore exploitation of laborers’ wages provokes a sin of omission. The Lord calls not just a few activists to be prophetic, but all people receptive to His spirit of justice.  For when justice prevails, peace flourishes.

Individual Reflection: James 5:1-6

October is Fair Trade Month.  To celebrate the work of Fair Trade Farmers, have people at your parish bring Fair Trade items they purchase and place them at the foot of the altar during Mass when the gifts are brought forward. Then donate the items to a local food bank.

Family Reflection:  James 5:1-6

Reflect on how your family might live with less luxury and stand in solidarity with the marginalized in the world, by turning off your air conditioner, walking to do your shopping, eating a grain based meal or planning a service vacation instead of spending a week at a luxury resort.

Prayer: Adapted from the Communion Antiphon

By this gift, we have come to know your love God.  That your Son laid down His life for us as an example that we ought to lay down our lives in service for one another, be a voice for one another of your justice. Help us to see our sins of omission, when we choose to ignore injustice to maintain our comfort, maintain luxury while others struggle to survive.  May our hearts realize in your eyes we are only as well off as the least among us and any different perception is a mirage void of your vision.  Give us hearts of compassion on our journey to live the message of your Son.  In His name we pray, Amen.

Blogs to Visit:

http://marynow.wordpress.com/

As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her.  For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.

http://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

https://cst74life.wordpress.com/

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

http://idocst.wordpress.com/

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

https://csmresources.wordpress.com/

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

By Barb  Born, September 24, 2015 Memorial of Padre Pio The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.

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Posted in Bulletin Announcements, Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic Social Teaching Bulletin Announcements, Fair Trade Coffee, Lectionary Resources, Lectionary Resources focused on Catholic Social Teaching, Religion, Social Justice, Spirituality, worship aid, worship resources | Tagged cinnamon, coffee, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, consumer driven culture, living wage, luxury, pleasure, prophets, worker dignity | Leave a reply

Twenty-fifth week in Ordinary Time September 22, 2013 Lectionary Reflection

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Barb Born
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September 22, 2013: Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Catholic Social Teaching: The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

“…Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation…”

Themes from Catholic Social Teaching, USCCB

 

“By work and industriousness, man-who has a share in the divine art and wisdom-makes creation, the cosmos already ordered by the Father, more beautiful. He summons the social and community energies that increase the common good…” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, (266)

 

Readings

First Reading: Amos 8:4-7

Psalm: 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8

Second Reading: 1st Timothy 2:1-8

Gospel: Luke 16:1-13 (Long Form) 16: 10:13 (Short Form)

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“A theory that makes profit the exclusive norm and ultimate end of economic activity is morally unacceptable.  The disordered desire for money cannot but produce perverse effects.  It is one of the causes of many conflicts which disturb the social order.”

“A system that ‘subordinates the basic rights of individuals and of groups to the collective organization of production’ is contrary to human dignity.  Every practice that reduces persons to nothing more than a means of profit enslaves man, leads to idolizing money and contributes to the spread of atheism.   ‘You cannot serve God and mammon.”(2424)  From Introduction to the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Daily Roman Missal

 

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Amos 8:4-8

“At the beginning of its history, the people of Israel are unlike other peoples in that they have no king, for they recognize the dominance of Yahweh alone.  It is God who intervenes on Israel’s behalf through charismatic individuals, as recorded in the Book of Judges.  The people approach the last of these individuals, Samuel, prophet and judge, to ask for a king.  Samuel warns the Israelites about the consequences of a despotic exercise of kingship. However, the authority of the king can also be experienced as a gift of Yahweh who comes to the assistance of his people.  In the end, Saul is anointed king.  These events show the tension that brought Israel to understand kingship in a different way than it was understood by neighboring peoples.  The king, chosen by Yahweh and consecrated by him, is seen by God’s son and is to make God’s dominion and plan of salvation visible.  The king, then, is to be defender of the weak and the guarantor of justice for the people.  The denunciations of the prophets focus precisely on the kings’ failure to fulfill these functions.” (377)

 

Luke 16:9-13

“…Far from being enslaved by things, the disciple of Jesus must know how to use them in order to bring about sharing and brotherhood.” (453)

 

Luke 16:13

“To the subjects, whether individuals or communities, that exercise ownership of various types of property accrue a series of objective advantages: better living conditions, security for the future, and a greater number of options from which to choose.  On the other hand, property may also bring a series of deceptive promises that are a source of temptation.  Those people and societies that go so far as to absolutize the role of property end up experiencing the bitterest type of slavery.  In fact, there is no category of possession that can be considered indifferent with regard to the influence that it may have both on individuals and on institutions.  Owners who heedlessly idolize their goods become owned and enslaved by them.  Only by recognizing that these goods are dependent on God the Creator and then directing their use to the common good, is it possible to give material goods their proper function as useful tools for the growth of individuals and peoples.” (181)

 

 1st Timothy 2:1-2

“Submission, not passive but “for the sake of conscience”, to legitimate authority responds to the order established by God…Freedom must not be used as a pretext for evil but to serve God.  It concerns free and responsible obedience to an authority that causes justice to be respected, ensuring the common good.” (380)

 

“…Praying for rulers, which Saint Paul recommended even as he was being persecuted, implicitly indicates what political authority ought to guarantee: a calm and tranquil life led with piety and dignity.  Christians must “be ready for any honest work”, showing “perfect courtesy towards all”, in the awareness that they are saved not by their own deeds but by God’s mercy.  Without “the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior”, all people are “foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing (their) days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another”.  We must not forget  the miserable state of the human condition marred by sin, but redeemed by God’s love.” (381)

 

For the complete text visit:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html

Reflection

Mammon, a Greek translation from Aramaic, specifies beyond worldly goods, to include privileges, status or social pedigree, that supersedes our true wealth in God. We cannot be enthralled with mammon and devoted to God.  For we own, possess or hoard nothing of our own. If we love God, stewardship flows from our hearts filled with God’s grace.  We delete usury charges, commissions of greed, that trample the economic stability of the needy.  We see ephahs of our day diminished not just by a smaller bushel of goods to increase shekels of profits, but by exploiting workers’ rights to a living wage, safe working conditions and the right to voice concerns over practices that assault their dignity. We must speak the truth in faith, as our faith praises the Lord who lifts up the poor and the lowly from the dust of despair.  Our actions must be initiated from supplications, prayers, petitions and thanksgiving offered for everyone, including leaders.  Prayer pries the grasp of self-indulgence from our being, so we embrace the Divine as the essence of our existence flowing into the river of eternity.

 

Individual Reflection: Luke 16:1-13

Learn about Pax Christi’s consumerism packet, Through the Eye of A Needle.  The five-week program covers affluenza, overconsumption, sweatshops, the environment and simple living.

http://paxchristiusa.3dcartstores.com/Consumerism-Packet-Through-the-Eye-of-a-Needle_p_11.html

 

Family Reflection: Amos 8:4-7

As a family, watch Bread for the World’s DVD, A Place at the Table.  Discuss how you might share the DVD at your parish before Thanksgiving or during Advent to raise awareness and initiate advocacy to address hunger.

http://www.bread.org/ol/2013/a-place-at-the-table/

 

Blogs to Visit:

http://marynow.wordpress.com/

As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her.  For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.

http://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/

Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.

https://cst74life.wordpress.com/

Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.

http://idocst.wordpress.com/

How we do Catholic Social Teaching.

https://csmresources.wordpress.com/

Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.

 

Involvement Opportunities

List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites

 

By Barb Born  September 9, 2013  The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concerns.

 

 

Posted in Bulletin Announcements, Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic Social Teaching Bulletin Announcements, Lectionary Resources, Lectionary Resources focused on Catholic Social Teaching, Religion, Social Justice, Uncategorized | Tagged despair, faith, freedom, God and mammon, greed, living wage, serve God in freedom, slaves of possessions | Leave a reply

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