Pope Benedict XVI: Self-Interest Will Destroy the World

[dcsmart]

by Mark and Louise Zwick
Pope Benedict XVI contradicted the reigning philosophies of self-interest, warning listeners gathered to hear his Angelus reflection on the Feast of Christ the King: "If each one thinks only of his or her own interests, the world can only go to ruin."

Contrasting the message of Jesus with the idea of basing our lives and economics on self-interest and rugged individualism, the Holy Father reflected on our favorite Scripture passage, "the stupendous parable of the Last Judgment," chapter 25:31ff. of Matthew's Gospel. "The images are simple, the language is popular," he said, "but the message is extremely important: It is the truth about our ultimate destiny and about the criterion by which we will be evaluated: 'I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. .. ' (Mt 25: 35)."

This passage from Matthew 25 is at the heart of the Catholic Worker movement. It is the mission statement of Casa Juan Diego. We rejoiced to see Pope Benedict put our whole lives in the world in this perspective, showing the disastrous results which will occur if everything is based on looking out for oneself:

"Who does not know this passage?" the Pope asked. "It is part of our civilization. It has marked the history of the peoples of Christian culture: the hierarchy of values, the institu-tions, the multiple charitable and social organizations. In fact, the Kingdom of Christ is not of this world, but it brings to fulfilment all the good that, thank God, exists in man and in history. If we put love for our neighbor into practice in accordance with the Gospel message, we make room for God's dominion and his Kingdom is actualized among us. If, instead, each one thinks only of his or her own interests, the world can only go to ruin."
Text

FULL ARTICLE
http://www.cjd.org/paper/self.html

SOURCE SITE
http://www.cjd.org/index.html

[Bill McBlueState]

1. so his god is incapable of saving or destroying the world

and instead, the fate of the world depends entirely on the decisions people make.

Okay with me, but it's surprising to hear it coming from the head Catholic.

[dcsmart]

2. history proves it to be so....

no hand from heaven yet to save us.....

STEELERS RULE....:headbang:

[get the red out]

3. The self-interest of the church

will destroy the world. Anti-contraceptive, anti-human rights for women and gays. Riches for the church, crumbs for the rest.

[poverlay]

4. He's a quick one isn't he. I always loved the "out" provided by the "free-will" argument. n/t

[juno jones]

5. I have one word for him:

Prada.

[moggie]

6. Not a giant asteroid?

That's good news!

[Sandrine for you]

7. Well, their is an evolution : yesterday the GLBT, today the greed...

[rug]

8. The Catholic Worker Movement will save the Church from itself.

[dcsmart]

9. i agree. The CW is a terrific presence in the church

although, CW really has its own vision and works in and outside the church. if you liked this article, you should check out the newspaper from Houston CW. L.A. CW has a great newspaper also. you can download or subscribe. see my journal for link to L.A. Catholic worker.

[anonymous171]

10. Completely Agree. nt