JUSTICE

Action on behalf of justice and participation in the

transformation of the world fully appear to us as a
constitutive dimension of the preaching of the
Gospel, or, in other words, of the Church's mission
for the redemption of the human race and its
liberation from every oppressive situation.

Justice in the World, 6

 Amos 5: 21-24
I hate, I spurn your feasts, I take no
pleasure in your solemnities;
Your cereal offerings I will not accept, nor
consider your stall-fed peace offerings.
Away with your noisy songs! I will not
listen to the melodies of your harps. But
if you would offer me holocausts,
then let justice surge like water, and
goodness like an unfailing stream.
 The Jubilee Year
 Celebrated every 50 years
 Demands:
a) Freedom of slaves
b) Return of the land/property
c) Cancellation of debts
d) Rest of land
Matt 20:1-16
One morning, a man went to town to look for
workers.
He needed them to work in his vineyard.
"I will give you one denarius a day," he said.
He returned to town
at 9:00
and at 12:00
and at 3:00.
He hired more workers each time.
At 5:00, he saw some men just standing there.
"Why aren't you working," he asked.

“No one has hired us,” they said.

"Go into the vineyard and work for me," he said.
When evening came,
all the workers were gathered around
for their pay.

The man paid the workers all

a denarius for working for him.
The men who were hired first were mad.
"Why do you pay these men that only
worked one hour the same as us that
have worked all day,“ they complained.
 "I have done no wrong," he said.
"I promised to pay you each a denarius
and I have done that.
Is it unfair that I have paid you all the same?"
Is Jubilee Year fair Was the owner unfair
to the creditors? to his laborers?

Justice?
 Why practice Justice?
Old Testament

To practice grace and mercy toward those who

have no power to secure it for themselves
 Why practice Justice?
Old Testament

“You have all seen what I did to the Egyptians,

and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and
brought you to myself”
 Why practice Justice?
New Testament

As Christ has loved us, so should we love one another

 Why practice Justice?
New Testament

“What you have done to the least of your brothers,

you have done to me.”
 Justice giving what is due to others

moral virtue that consists in the constant and

firm will to give their due to God and neighbor.

CCC, 1807
Justice giving what is due to others

“ius” = “right”

Right to a MEANINGFUL life

Do you buy them at a fair price?
Black Gold
 iv e
ut
rib
nt
Co
Commutative
e
tiv
ibu
str
Di
justice between two or more
parties based on an agreement
between
1. individuals
(laborer’s wage)
2. an individual and a group
(teacher to class)
3. two groups
(trade agreement)
Calls for fundamental
fairness in all agreements
and exchanges between
individuals or private
social groups
EJA, 69
justice of sharing that sees to the fair and equal distribution of the goods
of creation so that human needs are met

(welfare programs, student loans, putting up a business)

Requires that the allocation of income, wealth, and power
in society be evaluated in light of its effects on persons
whose basic material needs are unmet .
EJA, 70
justice which regulates a citizen’s
obligations to the larger society
and government (common good)
(voting, paying taxes)
it stresses the duty of all who are
capable to help create the goods,
services and other nonmaterial
or spiritual values necessary for
the welfare of the whole
community.
JW, 71
 e
t iv

Co
i bu

nt
st r

ri b
Di

ut
ive
Commutative

justice which applies the gospel to the structures, systems, and laws
of a society so that people’s rights are guaranteed
 e
t iv

Co
i bu

nt
st r

ri b
Di

ut
ive
Commutative

Implies that persons have an obligation to be active and

productive participants in the life of society and that society
has a duty to enable them to participate in this way.
EJA,71
Solidarity
+
Common
Good
=
SOCIAL
JUSTICE
 Think critically:
• What is the authentic
measurement of justice?
 People are created with equal
dignity
CAUSE:
CAUSE:

essence
PURPOSE:
To render to persons what
References befits their dignity
References:
Images taken from:

http://filipspagnoli.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/wdys_stick_figures.jpg
http://www.epiphanyonline.org/ColoringPages/images/Vineyard.gif
http://www.thaiphotoblogs.com/media/blogs/new/PB_valley1.jpg
http://www.bobjots.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/vineyard-workers.jpg
http://www.michaelcoffey.org/_/rsrc/1227796503738/sermons-1/sermons---propers/sermons---propers---20-a/Proper
%2020%20A%20Icon3.jpg?height=297&width=420
http://www.pericope.org/buls-notes/images/workers_in_vineyard.jpg
http://www.babyboomercaretaker.com/images/How-Much-Can-I-Contribute-To-My-401k-Per-Year.jpg
http://bradley.chattablogs.com/socialjustice.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GWZMatHJi4A/SjCTuRh0RLI/AAAAAAAAAOY/BPkaEksfiaM/s400/Distribute.jpg
http://s4.hubimg.com/u/1523463_f520.jpg
http://www.therubicon.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/change-1.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0j33b-26joQ/S7RkIBndgNI/AAAAAAAADuY/l0lSwwkE2fA/s1600/blowingoftheramshorn.jpg
http://truefresco.net/gallery/data/544/1bl_gs_fresco_chnc_det.jpg
http://johnnyhopkins.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/exodus.jpg
http://www.cowichanvalleyinn.com/files/CVI_Images/STB_Logo_v1_04-28-05.jpg
http://www.tonysseafoodcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Starbucks-Cafe-at-TonysSeafoodCafe.jpg

Video from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAxGZkR6-eU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taPopU84woM&feature=related

Slides from Fr. Dan Kroeger, OFM