Faith Without Works Is Dead!

A basic moral test of a society is how its most vulnerable members are treated. Our faith calls us to work for justice; to serve those in need; to pursue peace; and to defend the life, dignity and rights of all our sisters and brothers. This is the example of Jesus ... who came "to bring glad tidings to the poor ... liberty to captives ... and ... recovery of sight to the blind ..." Luke 4:18-19. This is the same Jesus who identified himself in the powerful parable of the Last Judgment with the hungry, the homeless, the stranger, "the least of these" Matthew 25:45.

This is the challenge of the prophets whose passion for justice cried out "let justice surge like water" Amos 5:24. This is the living tradition of the People of God who seek to build the Kingdom by living their faith commitment in the world; and by applying the values of the Scriptures in one's work, family, community, nation and world.

As persons, we are social. Therefore, our dignity and rights are realized in relationship with others who are in the community. No community is more central than the family. It is the basic unit of society. The family has major contributions to make in addressing questions of social justice. It is where we learn and act on our values. What happens in the family is at the basis of a human society.

We also have the right and responsibility to participate in and contribute to the broader community in society. The state and other institutions of political and economic life, with both their limitations and obligations, are instruments to protect life, dignity, and rights of the person; promote the well-being of our families and communities; and pursue the common good. When basic human needs are not being met by private initiative, then people must work thorugh their government to meet those needs. A central test of political, legal and economic instituitons is what they do to people, what they do for people and how people participate in them.

Or social conscience takes flesh in our homes, places of worship, work places, community organizations and professional groups. As believers, we are called to bring our values into the marketplace, political arenas, community, and family life, using our everyday opportunities, responsibilities, voices, votes and prayers to defend human rights, human dignity and human life.

Faith Without Works Is Dead!