How did the Church grow from a dozen, uneducated men into a religion of over two billion people today? The original disciples of Jesus offered a compelling message to their world. They claimed to follow a God-man who raised himself from the dead, who promised not only to repeat the Resurrection with us, but to send His own Spirit. Compelling as this message was, many remained unimpressed.
Yet, the movement grew exponentially. The Book of Acts chronicles many early encounters between the original disciples and curious observers. In those accounts, “awe came upon everyone”, quickly leading thousands of people to join the Church. What was the source of this “awe”? What attracted so many people instantly to God? “Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles”, the account says, which included healings and charismatic gifts. But we then see other equally miraculous changes: the community pooled possessions to help the needy, the rich and the poor shared meals, and slaves and freemen worshiped together. Immediately, it became clear to outsiders that within the Christian community, “there was no needy person.” The early Christian writer Tertullian notes non-Christians exclaiming, “Look how they love one another!” This radical love—this social-justice—was both shocking and alluring.
Justice, basically defined, means “to put things right”. The early Church met hate, oppression, and death with love, freedom, and the Gospel of life. Poverty was aided, sicknesses were cured, and inequalities were repaired. The early Church communicated the love of God through consistent acts of justice. But it didn’t end or begin there.
The centrality of justice within our Faith has existed for thousands of years. The great body of Catholic Social Teaching grew among the ancient Jewish prophets, found its clearest articulation in the teachings of Jesus, and developed in modern times through Popes and Bishops, theologians and Saints. In modern times, papal encyclicals have promoted justice in a particularly strong way. In 1891, Pope Leo XIII published “Rerum Novarum”, an encyclical on the dignity of work and the rights of workers. He critiqued the slave-like, unsafe work conditions that many suffered for minuscule pay. Today’s 40-hour work weeks, safe working conditions, and living wages all stem in part from this pivotal encyclical.
In 1979, Pope John Paul II visited his native Poland, telling the Polish people not to be afraid of Communism’s darkness, but instead to take courage and meet oppression with love and solidarity. The non-violent “Solidarity” movement cultivated by the Polish Church led to the downfall of Communism in Eastern Europe and, eventually, the world.
Pope Benedict XVI and the Bishops of our country continue this tradition of justice. The Church regularly speaks out against death, poverty, hunger, and lack of healthcare among other injustices. Millions of Catholics around the world work relentlessly to bring justice “on Earth, as it is in Heaven.” From slavery to civil-rights, corrupt powers to deathly cultures, Calcutta to Apopka, the Church ushers justice into every crevice of culture.
Like earlier times, the Church’s pursuit of justice remains provocative to outsiders. The world draws toward Jesus when the Gospel includes an unusual promotion of justice. History has shown the Church to be the largest, most consistent source of justice our world has ever known. But while the Church as a body is in battle against the great injustices of our day, She continues to call each of Her individuals to participate in the struggle.
May we strive to promote justice for others, so that people will continue to exclaim, “Look how they love one another!”
