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Think Biblically, Act Locally

This is a summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily delivered at St. Charles on December 7, 2003

"YOU WILL BE NAMED forever the peace of justice" Baruch 5:2

I learned fist hand how intertwined our global village is when I spent time in our diocesan mission, in the Dominican Republic. A major source of income evaporated when the peanut factory closed down. Peanuts grow in dry ground. In an area that suffers from drought 6 months of the year, the loss of this crop was nothing short of tragic. The closing followed President Jimmy Carter's election as President and his initiative to protect and support Georgia's peanut farmers.

The readings this weekend associate Christ's coming repetitively with the establishment of justice on the earth. One does not need to be an economist to recognize the growing imbalance of wealth and poverty accentuated by globalization. They underline the new requirements of justice and equity.

Within the USA in the last 20 years it has been estimated that middle-income people have seen their income grow 9 same today! However during the same time the highest 1 per cent of the population has experienced an income increase of 149%. In the 80's tomato pickers earned 7, 500 dollars. They earn the same today!

On a global level the top 1% enjoys the same income as the lower 57% of the world's people! The top 20% are responsible for 80% of private consumption!

This context of growing imbalance gives an urgent significance to the expressions of John the Baptist:, "Every valley will be filled, every mountain and hill shall be made low" Lk 3:6. All flesh will see the salvation of God".

It is easier to recognize problems than to offer solutions.

Let us agree to view the great political and economic issues through the lens of biblical justice. While we search for the broad answers, let us act locally. During Advent, participation in our Giving Tree, our Catholic Charities Collection, our efforts for Haiti and our housing projects, to name but a few parish programs, may serve as signs of our willingness to work for justice.

"I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1,4