#justiceOPportunity Thursday: February 20, 2020

It’s #justiceOPportunity Thursday and we are gearing up to get out the vote.  As you read up on the candidates and contemplate the issues, we ask that you consider your research through the lens of scriptures. As Catholic Christians we vote through the lens of Scripture values and the social teaching of the Church. In previewing legislation or where a legislator stands on issues you may want to consider the following:

Scripture Values: In Mathew 25:34-40 Jesus says:

• For I was hungry and you gave me food

How does this legislation/legislator provide for those who are in need of food assistance?

• I was thirsty and you gave me drink

How does this legislation/legislator provide for safe drinking water and holds those businesses accountable for the contamination of water supplies?

• A stranger and you welcomed me

How does this legislation/legislator stand on just and comprehensive Immigration Reform?

• Naked and you clothed me

Where does this legislation/legislator stand on welfare assistance for those who are truly in need and supports an increase in minimum wage?

• Ill and you cared for me

Does this legislation/legislator support affordable health care?

• In prison and you visited me

Where does this legislation/legislator stand on prison reform and on the death penalty?

In Isaiah 58: 6-7  Is this not rather the fast I choose:

• Releasing those bound unjustly
• Untying the thongs of the yoke
• Setting free the oppressed
• Sharing your bread with the hungry
• Bringing the afflicted and homeless into your home
• Clothing the naked

Social teachings of the Church –

• Address threats to the life and dignity of those who are vulnerable, sick or unwanted
• Renewed efforts to bring about decent health care, education and social services
• Address the economic crisis both national and global which has devastated lives and livelihoods, unemployment poverty and hunger
• Address the failure to pass a compressive Immigration bill and protect the rights and dignity of immigrants and refugees
• Address the causes of war and violence
• To care for the earth and all that God has created

The Bishops encourage us to:

• Focus more on moral principles than on the latest polls
• Focus more on the needs of the weak than on the benefits of the strong
• Focus on the pursuit of the common good than on the demands of narrow interests.

[Created by Sister Diane Smith Justice Coordinator for the Sisters of St. Joseph Of Carondelet LA Province]