Today marks the beginning of Social Justice Week. The theme this year is: ‘Choose forgiveness, know peace: Kōwhiria te murunga hara, kia mōhio ki te rangimārie’. Forgiveness is not easy, but it is a fundamental part of Jesus’s teaching during his ministry on earth. Holding on to the resentments of the past is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. To find peace within ourselves, and in society, we must forgive.

Social Justice Week is a time where we focus on aspects of Catholic Social Teaching. Here, the newcomer to Catholicism may ask, what is that?

 Catholic Social Teaching is a rich treasure trove of wisdom about building a society that is fair and just. It can teach us how to live a life of holiness amidst the challenges of secular society. It is a doctrine that guides us not by providing ready answers but by asking the right questions, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Are we putting the needs of others before our own? Are we working for the common good? Are we behaving as Jesus would want us to in all facets of our lives? Are we loving our neighbours? 

Catholic Social Teaching is a call to action for everyone to live out the values of our faith as we journey through modern life. At its heart is the inherent dignity of every human being, created in the image and likeness of God. This principle demands respect for each person and the protection of their human rights.

And dignity is just the beginning. The Catholic Church has developed social justice doctrine over time and there are a number of principles that we should all adhere to as Catholics:

Life and Dignity of the Human Person: Every human life is sacred, from the beginning to the end, and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a just vision for society. 

Call to Family, Community, and Participation: Humans are social beings, and how society is organised affects human dignity and the capacity to grow in community. We must participate in order to make a difference. When Jesus said “Follow me” to an individual, they entered into a community of followers.

Rights and Responsibilities: Human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. 

Care for the Poor and Vulnerable: A basic moral test of any society is how the most vulnerable members are faring. Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). We are called to care for those who are less fortunate and to alleviate their suffering.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers: The economy must serve people, not the other way around. 

Solidarity: We are one human family, regardless of culture, age, nationality, ethnicity, economic wellbeing, and ideological differences. 

Care for God’s Creation: We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. We are called to care for the environment and fight against the devastation of climate change.

Catholic Social Teaching is a way of life. It challenges us to live out our faith in action, to be a voice for the voiceless, and to strive to ensure that every human being can live a life of dignity.

So, what can we do during Social Justice Week given it's theme of forgiveness? One of the best things about being Catholic is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is Confession, where we can visit a priest, talk about those sins that have caused a barrier in our relationships with others, and with God, and find healing and forgiveness through absolution. This would be a great start. If you are too nervous to talk with your parish priest, visit a neighbouring parish that has set times for Confession. If you haven't been to confession for a while, don't worry, the priest will guide you through. 

Maybe we can seek to make an amends to someone who we have hurt in the past, and ask for their forgiveness? Maybe we can pray to God for help in forgiving someone who we have resented for a long time, even if the idea of forgiving them seems impossible. This last one I find particularly irksome until I actually do it: we should mindfully pray for those we need to forgive, as difficult as that may be at first. May they find peace and forgivenes in their hearts, too. 

For other activity ideas, Caritas has a page all about Social Justice Week and lots of resources that they send out to schools. You can visit that page HERE.

The Prayer of St Francis

(A Prayer for Peace)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.