tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8781753636089506134.post284069938737756219..comments2023-08-22T09:35:36.716-04:00Comments on True Confessions of a Prodigal Daughter: Social Justice vs. MercyMary Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04107504165449607702noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8781753636089506134.post-70015611111748749402009-09-26T10:33:55.536-04:002009-09-26T10:33:55.536-04:00It's too bad that "social justice" i...It's too bad that "social justice" in Catholic circles often means agitating for abortion, women priests, homosexual marriage, and other wrong stuff. It <i>ought</i> to mean things like fighting for the innocent unborn, or protecting the conscience rights of individuals and institutions.<br /><br />When I research religious orders, I avoid the ones that have the phrase "social justice" on their front page or in their mission statement. It's code for "We hate the Church."Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06624317806947588259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8781753636089506134.post-11827587185705384382009-09-23T08:42:45.369-04:002009-09-23T08:42:45.369-04:00Angela, very interesting thoughts! I have been thi...Angela, very interesting thoughts! I have been thinking about what your friends said, too. <br /><br />I am not saying that as a Christian, I should not stand for what is right according to God's Word. So if I sounded as though I wanted to throw any type of strong activism out the window, my apologies. I certainly believe in the ongoing battle for the unborn's rights in our society.<br /><br />Again, I'm still feeling my way through some things since returning to the Catholic Church. I have always admired the Catholic Church's stance on issue of life. I agree with Pope Benedict that as Christians, we are to engage in the public square regarding such important issues as the sanctity of life and respect for religious viewpoints.<br /><br />Any Catholic who has a role within a society's government has an awesome opportunity to share their perspective. Our county was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and I do believe there is a place to take a stand for those principles. <br /><br />What I am referring to with the "social justice" set is (to me) a distinctive Marxist agenda. Many of those involved with social justice focus on class consciousness, pressing the awareness of those who "struggle" and attempts to find justice for them. This is the area I question.<br /><br />When injustice persists, there is, of course, a growing discontent among those who are wronged. Moses took up the cause of the Israelites, who were definitely being treated unjustly. So there are times when God does call us to confront society's injustice.<br /><br />But there's something I can't quite put my finger upon with some of the activists within the Catholic Church. I absolutely disagree with anyone trying to mix Christianity with Marxist or Communistic ideology. I believe as Christians we are to show mercy to those who are oppressed but I'm not sure how effective it is to continue to rail against the system. <br /><br />When Jesus came, His apostles wanted Him to topple the system, but He made it clear to them that wasn't His mission. I think about the world's system quite a bit. Greed and power run it. As Christians, I believe we're to confront it but unsure about finding justice.<br /><br />You may be right. I might be tired of fighting the system. But I also look at my time and energy and with prayer, ask God to show me the best way to use both. So far, I've not seen the point of fighting against the system but then again, it's most likely not my calling. Not everyone is a Moses. :-)<br /><br />For those who are, and have God's Kingdom in mind when doing it. bless them and my prayers are for them. Just watch out for the Marxists. ;-)Mary Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04107504165449607702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8781753636089506134.post-35590526354684604182009-09-22T19:38:31.039-04:002009-09-22T19:38:31.039-04:00Mary Rose, after thinking about this post, and mul...Mary Rose, after thinking about this post, and mulling over what my friends said, it makes me feel that you are tired of fighting the system. Now, I know that just can't be true! But that is what the post made me feel. (I know..feelings bad, reason good...but I can't help feeling what I feel!)Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08046773358292402621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8781753636089506134.post-33679440783752927772009-09-22T19:33:11.553-04:002009-09-22T19:33:11.553-04:00I sent your post to two friends and here is what K...I sent your post to two friends and here is what K. had to say:<br /><br />"Mercy is a virtue twice-blest; it blesses he who gives and he who receives... it is enthroned in the hearts of kings." That little tidbit, probably misquoted, from the Merchant of Venice was floating around in my mind the other day. Funny, that you should send me an email dealing with the same subject. My other thought was the Pope's latest encyclical also deals with it. From what I recall he mentions that mercy and justice are inseparable, and that love (which plays into mercy, no) should always be the basis for justice (ie. giving what is rightfully owed). Something like that. Yes, definitely food for thought."<br /><br />And M. said this:<br />You might send this on to 2 city councillors who are Catholic. It would be interesting to see how they feel about their positions as counsellors for the people of this city.<br /><br />Development and Peace is also really involved with social justice. Who is the lady that started the food program for kids in school, (Agnes?)or something along that line. I wonder how she would feel about this. It might be interesting to get their input.<br />I would also say Birth Right is involved in social justice for the unborn of society.Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08046773358292402621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8781753636089506134.post-72438177696328322292009-09-22T18:30:29.013-04:002009-09-22T18:30:29.013-04:00Ya know, I was just thinking on this topic this ve...Ya know, I was just thinking on this topic this very morning coming back from mass. We had ended the service with yet ANOTHER athem to "social justice". <br /><br />I had the car radio turned to a Proestant church station. They were playing great old hymn after old hymn...<br />"To GOD be the glory great things he has done..."<br /><br />And it hit me. The old hymns of years ago all stressed to GOD be the glory, to GOD be the praise and worship. Most of the new "hymns" are nothing more than banal Sunday School athems that stress how good is MAN for wanting to care for his brother and how we should be "one" with the people.<br /><br />I agree with you; maybe if we focused more on God and his mercy to say nothing of his glory, maybe justice would follow in its own way.<br />Seems to me like they have the cart before the horse.<br />Thanks for this installment!Minkykathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18310501516675300767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8781753636089506134.post-83698730343235021402009-09-22T08:03:04.014-04:002009-09-22T08:03:04.014-04:00Amen, Mary Rose!Amen, Mary Rose!Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16415118689761630639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8781753636089506134.post-70333202670475648412009-09-22T01:49:04.561-04:002009-09-22T01:49:04.561-04:00I like that quote! Also you've given me someth...I like that quote! Also you've given me something to think about. I might just send this post to my uber-liberal democratic friend.Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08046773358292402621noreply@blogger.com