CEBU, Philippines - Nowadays, society has been filled with injustices, which deprives a person what rightly belongs to him. What does it say to us? Or is God saying something?
Let us recall the creation story in the first book of Genesis. It narrates how God created everything good and wonderful. He created enough resources equitable for each of his creatures. God provides and gives everything needed by humankind for a wonderful and beautiful life. When God finished creation, God “saw all that He had made, and it was very good”. (Gen. 1.13). God organizes the world and give meaning to our existence. His goodness never stops until creation, but allows man to subdue the earth and be a steward of it. But man given stewardship over His creation did not perform his job well. Man has not been a good steward. Man abuses God’s loving goodness. He has not done his share well in providing for everyone out of God’s generosity and bounty. There are those who take more than their rightful share, thus depriving others. Inequitable distribution of the world’s goods has been a problem. Greed, selfishness and unconcern fill man’s heart and lead to social injustice.
But let us remember that the God who created everything is concerned about what is happening. He is at work in the world. The Great Creator is concerned because He is the God of justice and He wants justice for all. Justice that is not only for a few people but for everybody rich and poor alike.
To carry out this mission of protecting the right of those who are oppressed, neglected, deprived of justice, God needs a helping hand to continue the mission He has entrusted to his Son Jesus Christ. Gods wants to establish His kingdom. A kingdom where there is no place for injustice. Deprivation of God’s children of His abundant provision for them should never exist. Gods desires a just and equitable sharing of what is intended for all the people. Because when people share, there is more than enough for everybody. The experience of the first Christian community proved this. “The whole community of believers was one in heart and mind. No one claimed private ownership and possession, but rather they shared all things in common. There was no needy person among them for those who owned land or horses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale. In addition, they laid it at the feet of the apostles who distributed according to each one’s needs.” (Acts. 4:32, 34, 35). St. Ambrose, one of the famous defenders of the Christian faith, said “when you give something to the poor, you are not giving him what is yours but just giving back to him what is his, since the goods of this earth belong to all, not just to the rich.”
God is not against nor condemns the rich. What God is against is lack of proper stewardship, an unconcern for the needs of others, especially of the poor, unjust treatment in dealings with others, especially the least and weak. If we are to think of it, those who are blessed with more in life should give and be thankful to God, recognizing that all they receive comes from Him – the Giver and Source of all.
Willing to share out of love is such a demand of social justice. It is an obligation for all who desires to live in the kingdom of God on earth, and eventually in life eternal. Living out the commandment of love of neighbor, is an important element in our path to eternal life, which is HEAVEN. That is the challenge for each one of us. It is a challenge that would make our life more fulfilling while we are still on earth, and awaiting our time for eternity. (FREEMAN)