Question 4.71

4.71 Do you think, then, about the Holy Ghost Fathers with whom you were acquainted in your youth?

The first missionaries never separated the proclamation of the Word of God, the celebration of the sacraments, and charitable service. These three tasks call for one another and are closely united. Today, we have the tendency to emphasize socio-political involvement and economic development, while excluding evangelization.

We are misusing the social doctrine of the Church without understanding it correctly. It becomes a tool for political action. Benedict XVI perfectly spelled out the place and the role of social doctrine; in Deus caritas est, he wrote: “Catholic social doctrine. . . has no intention of giving the Church power over the State. Even less is it an attempt to impose on those who do not share the faith ways of thinking and modes of conduct proper to faith. Its aim is simply to help purify reason and to contribute, here and now, to the acknowledgment and attainment of what is just. The Church’s social teaching argues on the basis of reason and natural law, namely, on the basis of what is in accord with the nature of every human being. It recognizes that it is not the Church’s responsibility to make this teaching prevail in political life. Rather, the Church wishes to help form consciences in political life and to stimulate greater insight into the authentic requirements of justice as well as greater readiness to act accordingly, even when this might involve conflict with situations of personal interest” (DCE 28). In other words, the Church must never abandon her mission of teaching, sanctification, and government, which consists of enlightening minds and purifying consciences and hearts by the light of the Gospel. The Church would betray Jesus by becoming actively involved in political life. We can tell that the vision of Benedict XVI is correct just by looking at and meditating on the life of Jesus.

The Holy Ghost Fathers of my parish had this unique assurance; they were giving their life and their health for the cause of Jesus, devoting themselves as much to evangelization as to education, charitable service, and health care. My parents believed in God because they were dazzled by the strength of the testimony of the French missionaries. Today, when a Jesuit remains in Syria, in spite of all opposition, what a magnificent, concrete image it is of fidelity to Christ alone! Ultimately, one question matters: What do we want to say about God? What do we want to hand on as God’s love? It is necessary to proclaim God in season and out of season, by finding the most human methods, the most respectful language, but without stinting on the truth.