Lk 12, 54-59 + CSDC and CV

Luke 12, 54-59 + CSDC and CV 

CV 43a. “The reality of human solidarity, which is a benefit for us, also imposes a duty”[105]. Many people today would claim that they owe nothing to anyone, except to themselves. They are concerned only with their rights, and they often have great difficulty in taking responsibility for their own and other people's integral development. Hence it is important to call for a renewed reflection on how rights presuppose duties, if they are not to become mere licence [106]. Nowadays we are witnessing a grave inconsistency. On the one hand, appeals are made to alleged rights, arbitrary and non-essential in nature, accompanied by the demand that they be recognized and promoted by public structures, while, on the other hand, elementary and basic rights remain unacknowledged and are violated in much of the world [107].

Notes: [105] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter Populorum Progressio, 17: loc. cit., 265-266. [106] Cf. John Paul II, Message for the 2003 World Day of Peace, 5: AAS 95 (2003), 343. [107] Cf. ibid.    

The family founded on marriage is truly the sanctuary of life

CSDC 231. The family founded on marriage is truly the sanctuary of life, “the place in which life — the gift of God — can be properly welcomed and protected against the many attacks to which it is exposed, and can develop in accordance with what constitutes authentic human growth”[515]. Its role in promoting and building the culture of life [516] against “the possibility of a destructive ‘anti-civilization', as so many present trends and situations confirm”[517], is decisive and irreplaceable. Christian families have then, in virtue of the sacrament received, a particular mission that makes them witnesses and proclaimers of the Gospel of life. This is a commitment which in society takes on the value of true and courageous prophecy. It is for this reason that “serving the Gospel of life ... means that the family, particularly through its membership in family associations, works to ensure that the laws and institutions of the State in no way violate the right to life, from conception to natural death, but rather protect and promote it”[518]. 

 Notes: [515] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 39: AAS 83 (1991), 842. [516] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae, 92: AAS 87 (1995), 505-507. [517] John Paul II, Letter to Families Gratissimam Sane, 13: AAS 86 (1994), 891.[518] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae, 93: AAS 87 (1995), 507-508.

(Lk 12, 54-59)  Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see (a) cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain - and so it does; 55 and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot - and so it is. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 57 "Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. 59 I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."

CSDC  531. The Church's social doctrine must be the basis of an intense and constant work of formation, especially of the lay faithful. Such a formation should take into account their obligations in civil society. “It belongs to the layman, without waiting passively for orders and directives, to take the initiative freely and to infuse a Christian spirit into the mentality, customs, laws and structures of the community in which they live”[1129]. The first level of the formation of lay Christians should be to help them to become capable of meeting their daily activities effectively in the cultural, social, economic and political spheres and to develop in them a sense of duty that is at the service of the common good[1130]. A second level concerns the formation of a political conscience in order to prepare lay Christians to exercise political power. “Those with a talent for the difficult yet noble art of politics, or whose talents in this matter can be developed, should prepare themselves for it, and forgetting their own convenience and material interests, they should engage in political activity”[1131]. 

Notes: [1129] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter Populorum Progressio, 81: AAS 59 (1967), 296-297. [1130] Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 75: AAS 58 (1966), 1097-1098. [1131] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 75: AAS 58 (1966), 1098.

[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)]