Catholic Commission for Social Justice
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ King of the Universe. Pope Francis urges us to “embrace the Gospel as the compass of our lives.” Today’s Gospel (Matt 25:31–46) shows us where “true North” lies.
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
“Lazarus is a good example of the silent cry of the poor throughout the ages and the contradictions of a world in which immense wealth and resources are in the hands of the few” – Pope Francis.
The Archdiocesan observance of Justice, Peace and Community Week (JPCW) commenced on Saturday, November 14 and ends on Saturday 21. A calendar of events for the week is here, as well as a Prayer Supplement produced by the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office on pages 12 and 13 in Catholic News.
The theme of JPCW this year is the same theme that Pope Francis has chosen for his message for the 4th World Day of the Poor: “Stretch forth your hand to the poor” (Sirach 7:32). World Day of the Poor is observed today, Sunday November 15. It was established by Pope Francis in 2016.
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
“Remembering the dead, caring for their graves and prayers of suffrage, are the testimony of confident hope, rooted in the certainty that death does not have the last word on human existence, for man is destined to a life without limits, which has its roots and its fulfillment in God” (Pope Francis).
November is a time when we remember and pray, not only for our loved ones who have gone before us and whose loss we feel, but for all those who have departed from this world and for those who grieve for them – “even those who no one remembers” (Pope Francis) .
Our Church teaches that praying for the dead is a spiritual work of mercy. Many of you would have cleaned the graves of your loved ones who have passed; and would have commemorated All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
“Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.” -St Augustine of Hippo
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints; the day when we commemorate all the saints of the Church.
We live in a world in which secularism is becoming more and more prominent. If we love God, if we say that we are Jesus’ disciples, then we will follow in His footsteps. Get to know Him by serving Him—with love.
Our Scriptures clearly outline the kind of values and virtues that will help us to become more like our Lord if these underpin our lives.
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
Today’s gospel, Matthew 22:34–40, is at the heart of Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship.
The Sadducees had already failed to trap Jesus. Now the Pharisees put Him to a test, asking Him which is the greatest commandment of the Law. There were 613 prescriptions/precepts in the law of Moses.
Jesus answers: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.”