We Do Not Leave Our Religion At The Church Door
Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from September 23, 2007
"We will buy the lowly for silver and the poor for a pair of sandals." Amos 8:6
I was asked a question last week: "If all the world's wealth were divided equally among the earth's people, how much would be available for each person?" I gave an answer that underestimated the amount. The answer is $40,000. I do not know where the statistic comes from, but it surely indicates that there is enough to go around. Yet the gulf between rich and poor continues to widen. While I do not advocate socialism, surely capitalism can take on a more human face.
Our choices have consequences. We are beginning to check the label, "Made in China," because the product may hurt us. Should we not check the label as well to consider whether it may hurt others. Are the sandals we buy made in some far away sweat shop? Articles are made cheaper by companies who run to the bottom for the cheapest labor. Would we not be willing to pay a few cents or a dollar more to ensure better conditions of life for others?
Locally, pay-day lenders can require an annual interest up to 400%. Vulnerable people are trapped in a never-ending cycle of debt. The District of Columbia recently capped the annual interest at 24 percent. The Virginia Inter-faith Center will lead a campaign this year to cap the rate at 36%.
I listened to a sorry in the radio. It caught my attention because the speaker was a Sean Donovan. He was an employee of pay-day lenders and was advocating for the multi-billion dollar industry. During the debate in the District he turned around. Sean came to see his work as usury. I imagined it was his Irish Catholic background that led him to remember the ethical judgments against usury. He became an advocate for a change. The former bishop of Cork had a saying, "The church has spent too much time in the bedroom, and not enough time in the board room." As Catholics, we do not leave our religion at the church door on a Sunday. We are called to bring our moral values to all of our private and public decisions during the week, in the home and in the marketplace.
Today's Ministries' Fair brings us to attention with regard to the Gospel's message of stewardship. Stewardship goes beyond the question, "How do I spend my money?" As stewards we also ask, "Am I using my skills in my professional life to advance the Kingdom of love and justice? Do I have a talent to bring to the ministries of my parish community?"
"No servant can serve two masters." Luke 16:12
