Chapter Seven Justice and Poverty

Definitions of Poverty Poverty pauper or poor Lack of means to provide for material needs or comforts The Scourge of Poverty: being blessed with wealth calls for a duty to use our wealth wisely

Types of Poverty Poverty of the soul Lack of purpose in life, a sense of hopelessness about any lasting meaning Poverty of the spirit Totally depend on God Material poverty Lack of sufficient material means to meet basic human needs

Evidence of material poverty:  20% of the population in developed nations consume 86% of the world’s goods  Nearly 1.3 billion people live on less that $1 a day  Nearly 1.3 billion people have no access to clean water; 3 billion have no access to sanitation; 2 billion have no access to electricity  In developing countries, 91 children out of 1000 die before their fifth birthday Definitions of Poverty

Poverty Definition: “The lack of sufficient material means to meet basic human needs.” Involuntary Effects of Poverty Means going without basic needs Dehumanizing Leads to sickness & death Leads to loneliness & despair Simplicity Definition: “Simple living is letting go of excessive and non-essential possessions so that we can help others, especially those in need.” Voluntary Effects of a Simple Life Means going without excess luxuries Humanizing Leads to poverty of spirit & fullness of life Leads to a sense of solidarity & hope

The Bible and Poverty Did you know... *Sacred scripture reveals that God is compassionately concerned for the welfare of the poor *Jesus was a prophetic voice telling of God’s love for the poor and God’s command for the well-off to respond to the needy

In the Old Testament: Sabbatical year – land was not to be farmed, debts were to be forgiven and slaves were to be let go every seventh year Jubilee year – people were to return to their proper place in the community and original owners were to lay legal claims to their property every fifty years. These were established to help reduce poverty and to help the poor assume respectable positions in society H.O. Catholic Jubilee Year The Bible and Poverty In the New Testament: †Jesus lived a life of poverty and associated with the poor and outcast throughout his ministry †Jesus’ parables revealed his attitude toward the poor †Parable of the Good Shepherd: everyone is our neighbor especially those in need †Parable of Lazarus & the rich Man: need to notice & to respond to the needs of the poor in our midst †Parable of the Wealthy Farmer: warns against danger of riches & that we must have our priorities straight

“Feed the man dying of hunger, because if you have not fed him, you have killed him.” Give us a heart as beautiful, pure, and spotless as yours. A heart like yours, so full of love and humility. May we be able to receive Jesus as the Bread of Life, to love him as you loved Him, to serve Him under the mistreated face of the poor. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Mother Theresa

The Scandal of Hunger malnourishment Body gets food but the food lacks the proper amount of vitamins and minerals for a healthy life Leads to infection and disease Chronic hunger starvation Body starves and consumes muscle, fat, and tissue for food; immune system fails; brain function slows

Causes of hunger: The Scandal of Hunger Corruption Unfair and high interest on foreign loans Exploiting limited resources Politics

The Scandal of Hunger A moral response to world hunger Manage earthly goods more efficiently SubsidiaritySolidarity

Did you know... …that another way to respond to the problem of world hunger is by participating in the Eucharist? The Scandal of Hunger We are to become the bread of life for others We are to be Christ’s hands and feet to those in need

A Christian Response to Poverty: Preferential Option for the Poor Spiritual Works of Mercy Instructing Advising Consoling Comforting Forgiving Enduring wrongs patiently Corporal Works of Mercy Feed the hungry Shelter the homeless Clothe the naked Visit the sick & imprisoned Bury the dead

A Christian Response to Poverty: Preferential Option for the Poor What does it mean to have special love for the poor? †We cannot love immoderately or selfishly use riches or wealth †We must put into practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy †Evaluate social and economic activity from the viewpoint of the poor and powerless

A Place at the Table: Everyone is invited to gather to eat, to make decisions, and to worship, including: A Christian Response to Poverty: Preferential Option for the Poor Institutions that help society stand with the poor families & individuals Community organizations and faith-based institutions government Marketplace and institutions of business, commerce and labor

How can we fight poverty? 1)Change attitudes to the poor 2)Support full and equal employment and just wage 3)Empower the poor to help themselves 4)Make education of the poor a top priority 5)Continually evaluate how tax system affects the poor 6)Reform nation’s welfare programs to help recipients become self-sufficient 7)Governmental efforts to preserve and protect family operated farm † People have created the economy; they can change it †Simple question should be asked, “Does it support or threaten human dignity?” Eliminating Poverty

Vocabulary poverty Jubilee Year Sabbatical Year malnourishment chronic hunger subsidiarity solidarity A Place at the Table