Friday, January 4, 2013
404. What else is required for an authentic human society? (part 2 continuation)
(Comp 404 repetition) Authentic human
society requires respect for justice, a just hierarchy of values, and the
subordination of material and instinctual dimensions to interior and spiritual
ones. In particular, where sin has perverted the social climate, it is
necessary to call for the conversion of hearts and for the grace of God to
obtain social changes that may really serve each person and the whole person.
Charity, which requires and makes possible the practice of justice, is the
greatest social commandment.
“In brief”
(CCC 1896) Where sin has perverted the social climate, it is
necessary to call for the conversion of hearts and appeal to the grace of God.
Charity urges just reforms. There is no solution to the social question apart
from the Gospel (cf. CA 3, 5).
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 1888) It is necessary, then, to appeal to the spiritual
and moral capacities of the human person and to the permanent need for his inner conversion, so as to obtain social
changes that will really serve him. The acknowledged priority of the conversion
of heart in no way eliminates but on the contrary imposes the obligation of
bringing the appropriate remedies to institutions and living conditions when
they are an inducement to sin, so that they conform to the norms of justice and
advance the good rather than hinder it (Cf. LG 36).
Reflection
(CCC 1889) Without the help of grace, men would not know how
"to discern the often narrow path between the cowardice which gives in to
evil, and the violence which under the illusion of fighting evil only makes it
worse" (CA 25). This is the path of charity, that is, of the love of God
and of neighbor. Charity is the greatest social commandment. It respects others
and their rights. It requires the practice of justice, and it alone makes us
capable of it. Charity inspires a life of self-giving: "Whoever seeks to
gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it"
(Lk 17:33). [END]
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