It’s a common enough expression and it has always rubbed me the wrong way. Factually it is erroneous as societies have often been peaceful while being far from just. Portraying the poor as a potentially blood thirsty mob if their demands are not met, is an insult to the honest poor. Finally, it is an open invitation for demagogues to use the poor as an excuse to erect a totalitarian state in the name of social justice. Popes usually do themselves no favor when they traipse in to the political realm. Urging that we each help the poor is following Christ. Christ never yelled for Caesar to do the job instead.
Burn of the Day
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
And the sad thing about this is that the vast majority of people that call for Caesar to take care of the poor don’t care about the poor any more than Caesar did.
State power, and obtaining it for themselves, is the true god of many of them LKL.
What about the fact that an increasing welfare state that keeps the “poor” supplied with Cheetos, internet and cell phones ALSO makes it more difficult for the modest retired and young families to pay for doctors and mac n cheese?
The Bruised Optimist, that is exactly the issue with all food costs, fuel costs, housing, used cars, etc., in regards to massive immigration, both legal and illegal.
JFK-
We are in agreement on that.
Immigration is like alcohol. A little is good, sometimes even medicinal, but immoderate quantities are nothing but trouble – even if it seems like a good idea at the time!
“there can be no peace without justice” ??
This pope, francis 2.0, should really stick to Scripture and Tradition, not catch phrases popular in Hollywood, Marxist and present day Jesuit circles….
Matthew 5:
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.