In my “travels” through cyberspace, I discovered that Thursday, February 20, 2020, is World Day of Social Justice (United Nations). Social justice is considered one of the “two feet” of Catholic social action. One foot is charity (taking care of people’s immediate needs), while the other foot is social justice (addressing the structures and policies in society that cause people to be deprived of what they deserve). Social justice is not a liberal or conservative issue; it is a “constitutive dimension of preaching the Gospel, and an essential part of the Church’s mission.” (U.S. Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light)
This presents an opportunity for catechists and others to gather together in small groups (or to gather older students in groups) to reflect upon the Scriptural roots of our call to work for social justice. I’d like to suggest using a small book I wrote a few years back as part of the Six Weeks with the Bible series: Amos/Hosea/Micah: A Call to Justice. The prophet Amos, along with the prophets Hosea and Micah, conveys in no uncertain terms what God thinks about oppression, injustice, and neglect of the poor. The blunt language of these prophets can get our attention in a way that few other things can, and this study of Amos, Hosea, and Micah is a call for each of us to return to the ways of the Lord.
This would also make a perfect six-week experience for Lent! May the World Day of Social Justice remind each of us to be aware of the injustice of our world and to strive to shape our world to reflect God’s vision of the Reign of God, a place where justice flows like a river! (Amos 5:24)
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