Matthew 25:35-37, Romans 12:15-18
We all have two feet that we stand tall on every day, two things that support us and hold us up each and every day and get us to where we need to go. Even if we are on crutches, we have two things that hold us up. Just as we have two feet or two things that keep us standing there are ‘two feet’ to Catholic teaching as well. Those two feet are Charity and Justice. Charity in our lives helps meet our own and others individual needs and justice helps correct problems in the long term sense for the community.
Charity, calls for an immediate response from us. It is in our duty to respond to particular situations with love and generosity in order to live out the virtue of charity.
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?…” -Matthew 25:35-37
We are called to react and to love those around us, we are called to go work in soup kitchens and feed the hungry, we are called to donate money, time and clothes, not just in the collection basket every week; but to missionaries, to those less fortunate than us, to those that could use the money in other countries, to clothe the poor. We are called to sponsor someone in need in another country and visit those that have no one to visit them.When we live these acts out we are helping meet the needs of individuals in their present situations. We are meeting them where they are at. A good friend has said one time, “be where your feet are,” be there, with these people so that you can act in charity and live that virtue out with them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. -Romans 12:15-18
Our second foot that keeps us upright in our faith is Justice. Justice helps correct problems in the community in the long term sense. Justice is for our beliefs and social issues. This is where we as Catholics have to stand up for what we believe, advocate for just public policies, stand up for human dignity, it is our job to stand up to those things that are causing poverty and do what we can to prevent poverty. Justice is the ability to work towards a long term social change.
These two feet in our Catholic teaching are feet that we should be consistently walking on, consistently thinking of how we can get those feet ‘wet’ and in use. How we can use those two feet to jump right into helping the poor, clothing the naked and feeding the hungry. How we can use those two feet to stand up for what is right and so that we can improve our society for a better tomorrow.
How is God speaking to you in this post or today's reading? Enter a comment below or click HERE if you are reading from your phone. (Commenting is optional, but always grace-filled.) Thank you for letting us into your life and for being a part of ours!
