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Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7 -- John 12:1-11
I have called you for the victory of justice, says the Lord through the pen of Isaiah, speaking of
the Suffering Servant. This is the one who will open the eyes of the blind, release the prison, and
bring light to the darkness.
In today's Gospel, the Suffering Servant is at a dinner in Bethany and Mary anoints him with a
costly scented oil. Judas, who as we shall see has a lot of room to talk about anyone else,
criticizes this gesture, claiming the money would be better spent helping the poor. Jesus replies
with his famous statement, "The poor will always be with you."
How often have we heard this statement quoted to justify opposition to our work of evangelizing
economic and social structures? As though somehow, the apt and correct and prophetic insight
of Jesus 2000 years ago justifies Situation X involving the exploitation and oppression of poor
people in the modern world. Of all the possible explanations for these words, that one isn't even
close.
Because the poor are always with us, Jesus' explicit commands regarding our social relationships
take on even greater urgency. There is much to be done. But is Congress listening to God's
word? Is the President? Are the various state legislatures in the US, and parliaments and
congresses in other countries, paying any attention?
For that matter, what about the Church? How well do we listen to God's word when it comes to
our social and community relationships, rights, duties, and responsibilities? Yes, I dare to use
the "d" and "r" words. Duties. Responsibilities. Not "when we get around to it" or "if we have
time" or "if there is any money left over. Duties. Responsibilities. Non-optional items, for
Church, family, individual, state, nation, world.
Is this why Jesus suffered and died on the Cross, so that 2000 years later, rich First World
Catholics could have lives of luxury while giving a pittance of the personal, parish and diocesan
revenues to satisfy the duties and responsibilities of justice? Time? We should donate time too?
The poor are always with us. Therefore, I am justified in a minimalist approach to the social
doctrine of the Catholic Church. Not! We are called for the victory of justice.
+ For those who share the responsibility and duty of teaching Catholic doctrine, that they will
break open the riches of God's Word regarding our social and community relationships, so that
the call to the people is clear, compelling, and without ambiguity.
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