Matthew 14, 22-36 + CSDC and CV

(CV 22a) Today the picture of development has many overlapping layers. The actors and the causes in both underdevelopment and development are manifold, the faults and the merits are differentiated. This fact should prompt us to liberate ourselves from ideologies, which often oversimplify reality in artificial ways, and it should lead us to examine objectively the full human dimension of the problems. As John Paul II has already observed, the demarcation line between rich and poor countries is no longer as clear as it was at the time of  Populorum Progressio [55]. The world's wealth is growing in absolute terms, but inequalities are on the increase.  

Notes: [55] Cf. Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 28: loc. cit., 548-550. 

Social doctrine is a teaching explicitly addressed to all people of good will

CSDC 84 This social doctrine is a teaching explicitly addressed to all people of good will[132], and in fact is heard by members of other Churches and Ecclesial Communities, by followers of other religious traditions and by people who belong to no religious group.

 Notes:  [132] Beginning with the Encyclical Pacem in Terris of John XXIII, the recipient is expressly identified in this manner in the initial address of such documents.

(Mt 14, 22-36) Safeguarding the environment

[22] Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. [23] After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. [24] Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. [25] During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. [26] When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. [27] At once (Jesus) spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." [28] Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." [29] He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. [30] But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" [31] Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" [32] After they got into the boat, the wind died down. [33] Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God." [34] After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. [35] When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick [36] and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed. 

CSDC 453. The definitive salvation that God offers to all humanity through his own Son does not come about outside of this world. While wounded by sin, the world is destined to undergo a radical purification (cf. 2 Pet 3:10) that will make it a renewed world (cf. Is 65:17, 66:22; Rev 21:1), finally becoming the place where “righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13). In his public ministry, Jesus makes use of natural elements. Not only is he a knowledgeable interpreter of nature, speaking of it in images and parables, but he also dominates it (cf. the episode of the calming of the storm in Mt 14:22-33; Mk 6:45-52; Lc 8:22-25; Jn 6:16-21). The Lord puts nature at the service of his plan of redemption. He asks his disciples to look at things, at the seasons and at people with the trust of children who know that they will never be abandoned by a provident Father (cf. Lk 11:11-13). Far from being enslaved by things, the disciple of Jesus must know how to use them in order to bring about sharing and brotherhood (cf. Lk 16:9-13).

[Initials and Abbreviations.- CSDC: Pontifical Council for Justice And Peace, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church; -  SDC: Social Doctrine of the Church; - CV: Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in truth)]