Chapter 21

THE CHURCH SERVES THE POOR AND THE OPPRESSED

CHAPTER 21:THE CHURCH SERVES THE POOR AND THE OPPRESSED

WORKS OF CHARITY

It is also necessary that Catholics do acts of charity for the Catholic Church, for their fellow man, for those suffering poverty, for the elderly, for the homeless, and for those less fortunate than ourselves.  We must remember that when we do things to help others, we are doing them for Jesus Himself. Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are great ways in which we can do acts of mercy and charity toward others.  They are:

Corporal Works of Mercy 1.  Feed the hungry. 2.  Give drink to the thirsty. 3.  Clothe the naked. 4.  Visit and ransom captives. 5.  Shelter the homeless. 6.  Visit the sick. 7.  Bury the dead.

Spiritual Works of Mercy 1.  Correct sinners. 2.  Instruct the ignorant. 3.  Counsel the doubtful. 4.  Comfort the sorrowful. 5.  Bear wrongs patiently. 6.  Forgive all injuries. 7.  Pray for the living and the dead.

HUMAN AND SOCIAL RIGHTS

• "Since all men possess a rational soul and are created in God's likeness, since they have the same nature and origin, have been redeemed by Christ, and enjoy the same divine calling and destiny, the basic equality of all must receive increasingly greater recognition... every type of discrimination, whether social of cultural, whether based on sex, race, colour, social condition, language or religion, is to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God's intent.

SOCIAL TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH (CST)

1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person
2. Call to Family ,Community and Participation
3. Rights and Responsibilities
4. Option for The Poor
5. The Dignity of Work
6. Solidarity
7. Care for God'screation