One of the most unique and attractive beacons in the Catholic Church is her well-defined, carefully articulated, deeply-held, and concisely packaged body of social teachings, a body of doctrine with which, the bishops say, "far too many Catholics are not familiar." In fact, they add, "many Catholics do not adequately understand that the social teaching of the Church is an essential part of Catholic faith."

Our times have made us hungry for guidance on how to live social justice with catholicity. We acknowledge that every baptized Catholic must live his or her faith in truth and justice. If you don’t get anything else out of all God is allowing in our world right now, get this week’s overview of the Seven Principles of Catholic Social Justice, and hear the Holy Spirit guide you in *your* next steps.

 

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LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja's method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.

L - Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)

O - Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)

As you listened to the show, which Catholic social justice principle has been part of your life recently, through your relationships or circumstances? Which principle was most attractive to you? Which provoked negative thoughts or emotions, and why? Which principle was least attractive? Are you active in any of the principles already? Were you stirred by one in particular?

V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.

E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)

Lord, I am overwhelmed by the scale of injustice in the world and your call to fight against it. Teach me what that means for me. My heart is open to the love that will starve soulless practices and nourish a spirit of mercy, truth, justice, and compassion in the world. While we work toward your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven, give us the fortitude to start and the wisdom to listen so we will know where and how to begin answering your call to justice. Amen + 

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Read the Transcript

You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here.