Social Justice

Social justice is a concrete way of following Jesus and remaining faithful to the Gospel. Jesus surrounded himself with the poor, the sick, and the outcast, demonstrating that justice is born from fraternity. Social justice concerns not only individual behavior but also the way communal life is structured and organized—so that the social, economic, and political order can allow everyone, especially the weakest, to live a truly dignified life without excluding anyone. Social justice works to dismantle systems that lead to poverty, restore communities that have been broken and excluded, and protect the dignity of humanity.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgements, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.”

1. How did Jesus demonstrate social justice through His relationships with the poor, the sick, and those who were excluded?
2. What is the difference between acts of personal charity and working for social justice?