Preaching and Teaching from the Lectionary

about Catholic Social Teaching*

A word about this resource:

The call to faithful citizenship implies a basic knowledge of Catholic social teaching (CST). For many of our people, that knowledge is often incomplete or inadequate. While it would be an unrealistic expectation to look to the Lectionary to provide a complete course in Catholic social teaching, the annual cycle of readings does offer numerous opportunities to form the faithful in the basic vision of Catholic social teaching. Both in homilies and in various lectionary-based catechetical settings—for adults as well as children—there are rich opportunities to show how Catholic social teaching is rooted in and flows organically from the living Word of God in sacred Scripture.

The list that follows indicates some of the liturgical celebrations between now and the November elections that seem to lend themselves well to sharing Catholic social teaching. The list is not exhaustive, since preachers and teachers will certainly be able to exercise their own creativity in linking the Sunday Scriptures to concrete situations where we are called to respond in light of the vision of Catholic social teaching. Sometimes a particular feast offers an opportunity to reflect on a particular aspect of Catholic social teaching. At other times one or more of the readings of the day seem to raise in a major way a theme of Catholic social teaching. Occasionally, Catholic social teaching is not central to the scriptural text, but may be identified as a minor theme that can be addressed, even without making it the central point of a particular homily or catechetical session. In every case, the material below tries to avoid a “proof text” approach to the interpretation of sacred Scripture. While respecting contemporary scriptural exegesis, there are opportunities to develop the themes of Catholic social teaching without resort to interpretations that violate the principles of sound interpretation and preaching.

With the approach of the fall elections, some parish communities may wish to make a more deliberate effort to help their members exercise the call to faithful citizenship. If so, this listing suggests how to approach formation in Catholic social teaching in a way that shows its grounding in the Scriptures. A persistent effort to connect what we hear proclaimed from the pulpit each week with the real issues of contemporary life should leave parishioners more informed about the basics of our tradition. With that deeper understanding of the Gospel, they should be better able to apply Jesus’ command to love our neighbor to the complexities of our political, economic and social life.

*Written by Rev. Robert D. Duggan, a presbyter of the Archdiocese of Washington who is currently pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Date Feast Reference Making Connections

Jan. 1 Mary, Mother of God World Day of Prayer for Peace The first reading (Num. 6:22-27) culminates in the prayer over the people for shalom, the blessing of God’s peace. This text offers a wonderful opportunity to make a connection between our prayer for God’s blessing (peace) and our commitment to be peacemakers who--by our efforts--help to usher in the fullness of God’s peace in our world.

Jan. 4 Epiphany Is. 60:1-6 The theological content of this feast has to do with the universal offer of salvation. Christ has come to save every human person, and today that mystery is revealed for all to see and celebrate. The divine will to save all people is one of the foundations of CST’s theme of the call to community. We are saved as a people, and God’s family embraces every living person. The notion of solidarity is also rooted in our conviction that the divine will is to save all people. As God’s concern is without limit or discrimination, so we are called to stand with all who are in need.

Jan. 11 Baptism of the Lord Years ABC:

Is. 42:1-4, 6-7

Lk. 3:15-16, 21-22

Alternates - Year C:

Is. 40:1-5, 9-11

Lk. 3:15-16, 21-22 Both Gospel readings that may be read today use allusions to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah, who is identified as God’s “beloved”. It is precisely that Servant with whom Jesus identified himself in his inaugural discourse in the synagogue at Nazareth—a servant whose social ministry is at the heart of his identity. The servant-identity of Jesus is the foundation for how we understand our own baptism as a call to mission: a mission to the world that mirrors the concerns of Jesus and that is embodied in CST.

Jan. 18 Ordinary Time 2 1 Cor. 12:4-11 The Pauline teaching on spiritual charisms is linked closely to his understanding of baptism as an empowerment to share in the mission of Christ, with whose dying and rising we are identified in the sacrament. CST recognizes that in baptism we have been made sharers in Christ’s identity as priest, prophet & king, i.e., we have been given spiritual gifts to empower us to act on our faith for the transformation of the world.

Jan. 25 Ordinary Time 3 1 Cor. 12:12-30

Lk. 1:1-4; 4:14-21 The Pauline teaching on the profound unity that exists among all of the parts of the Body of Christ is the basis for CST’s theme of solidarity. In solidarity we give expression to the truth of the union that exists among all who are God’s children. Today’s Gospel reveals how central was the place that Jesus gave to social ministry in his proclamation of the Reign of God. CST sees the involvement of Jesus’ disciples today in social justice activities as a continuation of the Master’s proclamation of the presence of God’s Reign here and now.

Feb. 1 Ordinary Time 4 Jer. 1:4-5, 17-19

Lk. 4:21-30 CST recognizes that our baptismal identity has made us sharers in the prophetic ministry of Jesus. The first reading and Gospel today are about the prophetic call and the inevitability of the counter-cultural stance inherent in the prophetic vocation/message.

Feb. 8 Ordinary Time 5 Is. 6:1-2, 3-8

Lk. 5:1-11 The first reading and the Gospel highlight the notion of call, reminding us that as disciples of Jesus each of us has been called to a specific mission in the world. CST reminds us that integral to that mission—regardless of our specific vocational choice in life—is active involvement in the Church’s social mission.

Feb. 15 Ordinary Time 6 Lk. 6:17, 20-26 The Lucan version of the Beatitudes presents a very earthy notion of the reversal of fortunes that awaits all flesh when the fullness of God’s Reign is realized. CST suggests that the actions we take to bring about a more just and peaceful world are instrumental in the progressive movement of humankind toward that final transformation of all things in Christ.

Feb. 22 Ordinary Time 7 Lk. 6:27-38 This section of Luke’s Gospel comes immediately after the Beatitudes and illustrates in concrete fashion the implications of living according to the vision of God’s Reign that is outlined in the Beatitudes. CST applies the Gospel ethic with a similar concreteness, and often in a way that seems as radical as the ethic expressed by Jesus in today’s Gospel. CST insists that today’s Gospel has implications for economic policy, efforts at resolving conflicts by peaceful means rather than the resort to violence, more equitable distribution of the world’s resources, negotiations between rich and poor nations over international debt, and so forth.

Feb. 29 Lent 1 Dt. 26:4-10

Lk. 4:1-13 Today’s first reading reminds us that God has consistently chosen the little ones of this world to play a privileged role in the divine plan. That pattern of divine predilection for the weak and suffering is one of the bases for the Church’s unwavering commitment to protecting human life, especially the most vulnerable and powerless—unborn children. The focus on the weak and suffering is also the basis for CST on the preferential option for the poor. Jesus’ temptations led him to reject worldly power and riches as the way to proclaim God’s Reign. In doing so, he chose solidarity with the broken of this world as his way to proclaim the Gospel.

March 7 Lent 2 Phil 3:17-4:1

Lk 9: 28b-36 The Gospel account of the transfiguration reminds us of the Christ exalted above the cross. At the heart of Catholic social teaching is the idea that this same Christ is also the crucified Lord. We cannot know the Risen Lord without embracing the cross. Paul, in Philippians, reminds us that we are to stand firm in the Lord. Through lives of self sacrifice we are called to transform our world according to God’s design and with God’s grace bring it to fulfillment.

Mar. 14 Lent 3 Cycle A:

Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

Cycle C:

Ex. 3:1-8, 13-15 In the Cycle A readings, the Romans passage contains a foundational teaching on the divine love that is the source of our redemption. Christ’s identification with us in his death on the Cross is the deep theological grounding for CST on our call to solidarity with all who suffer and are in need. For communities that use the Cycle C readings, the Exodus passage reminds us of a similar theme—that God has “come down to rescue” those in need. CST reminds us that as God has done for us, so must we do for our sisters and brothers.

Mar. 21 Lent 4 2 Cor. 5:17-21

Lk. 15:1-3, 11-32 Paul’s shocking expression that God “made him (Jesus) to be sin” is a powerful reminder of the length to which God has carried the notion of solidarity. CST reminds us that as God has done for us, so must we do for our sisters and brothers. In today’s Gospel story of the Prodigal, Jesus uses the example of one who was exploited as a hired laborer and subsequently found in his father relief from misery. While the teaching of the parable is not about just wages for workers, the example chosen by Jesus might be noted as a way to show his sensitivity to the issue. CST embodies that same concern in its teachings about the rights of workers.

Mar. 28 Lent 5 Lk. 8:1-11 The story of the woman taken in adultery is about the mercy and forgiveness of God. But it is also about the dignity of every human person, and it gives a powerful example of how Jesus risked the wrath of his contemporaries to uphold that dignity in the case of the sinful woman. CST similarly upholds, as the cornerstone of its vision, the dignity of every human person.

Apr. 4

Apr. 9 Palm Sunday

Good Friday The Passion narratives The reading of the Passion narratives on Palm Sunday and Good Friday offers the opportunity to reflect on the depth of Jesus’ identification with our broken human condition. CST on solidarity draws inspiration from this divine example of love—an example that motivates our every effort at solidarity, the option for the poor and powerless, indeed every facet of our concern for our sisters and brothers in need.

Apr. 10 Easter Vigil Gen. 1:1-22 CST on caring for creation finds its most powerful statement in the story of Genesis and the divine affirmation that all of creation is “good” and has been entrusted into our care.

Apr. 18 Easter 2 Jn. 20:19-31 The gift of the risen Christ to the Church (shalom/peace) is a forceful statement of the Church’s mandate to be agents of peace and reconciliation in our world. CST unpacks the full dimensions of this divine mandate by pointing out the many ways that we as disciples of Christ must become involved in bringing peace and justice to the world.

May 2 Easter 4 Rev. 7:9, 14-17 John’s vision in the Book of Revelation portrays a vast multitude noted for its diversity. CST addresses issues of human rights from the perspective that every human person has inherent dignity and is destined to be part of this great throng in heaven. It is God’s choice to include all peoples as sharers of eternal life that forms the basis for CST on human dignity.

May 9 Easter 5 Jn. 13:31-33, 34-35 Jesus’ command to love one another as he has loved us is the basis for all CST. By saying that we must be recognized as his disciples by our love for one another, Jesus makes it clear that our love must take concrete shape. CST is the Church’s means of pointing out how to make this command of love concrete in the complexities of our modern world.

May 16

or

May 20 Ascension Acts 1:1-11

Lk. 24:46-53 Both accounts of the ascension that we hear today remind us that Jesus gave his disciples a mandate prior to departing from their midst. That mandate, to proclaim the Reign of God and to baptize in his name, is precisely what the Church is about in its efforts to make our world a more just, loving and peaceful place. CST lays out the fundamental moral vision that must guide the renewal of the world in Christ.

May 29 Pentecost Vigil Rom. 8:22-27 This passage captures the Church’s understanding that redemption is a progressive reality that embraces all of created reality. CST indicates that our efforts as disciples of Christ to transform the world according to his vision are part of that progressive transformation.

May 30 Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:1-11

1 Cor. 12:3-7,12-13

or

Rom. 8:8-17

Jn. 20:19-23

or

Jn. 14:15-16, 23-26 The Pentecost celebration affords us an opportunity of dreaming about how the world transformed by God’s Spirit might look. CST not only holds out this vision, but it applies concrete strategies to work towards the realization of a world community united by bonds of peace and love. Pentecost also celebrates our conviction that the Spirit has empowered us as disciples of Jesus to work for the realization of that vision.

June 13 Corpus Christi Lk. 9:11-17 Luke’s version of the multiplication of the loaves and fish contains the pointed direction of Jesus, “Give them some food yourselves.” Luke’s carefully constructed theology of “dining in the kingdom” sees the involvement of the Eucharistic community in the transformation of the world as central to the Gospel message. CST takes seriously the ethical implications of participating at the Eucharistic table and attempts to apply Jesus’ command to the complexities of contemporary social, political and economic life.

July 4 Ordinary Time 14 Lk. 10:1-12, 17-20 The story of the sending out of the seventy-two is used by Luke to highlight his understanding of the nature of the Church’s mission. Jesus’ disciples form a community that he has commissioned, sent and empowered to proclaim the Good News of God’s Reign. They accomplish this by doing the works of Jesus, i.e., casting out evil in all its forms, announcing peace, healing and reconciling those who are in need. CST affirms that these same activities continue to characterize the disciples of Jesus today.

July 11 Ordinary Time 15 Lk. 10:25-37 The parable of the Good Samaritan is extremely rich in its implications for CST. Solidarity, the life and dignity of the human person, the option for the poor and vulnerable—all of these themes and more can be developed in light of this seminal parable that speaks of who is our neighbor and how we must respond to those in need.

Aug. 1 Ordinary Time 18 Lk. 12:13-21 In the parable of the rich man who horded his possessions, Jesus offers an important perspective on material wealth. Pointing out that the rich man is a fool for not sharing with those in need, Jesus links generosity towards one’s neighbor with finding favor in God’s eyes. CST similarly insists on the moral dimension of how we relate to our material possessions.

Aug. 8 Ordinary Time 19 Lk. 12:32-48 Today’s Gospel is an important source for understanding the notion of Christian stewardship. CST highlights stewardship of creation as a basic Christian virtue. Today’s Gospel also suggests that storing up an excess of material passions for oneself is a fruitless endeavor in God’s eyes.

Aug. 15 Assumption of Mary Lk. 1:39-56 Today’s feast celebrates the ultimate triumph of God’s grace in Mary. In her song of praise (the Magnificat), Luke gathers together various allusions to God’s age-old pattern of lifting up the lowly and reversing the fortunes of the downtrodden. CST aligns the disciples of Jesus with that same work of God in the lives of all who are oppressed, neglected and marginalized.

Aug. 29 Ordinary Time 22 Lk. 14:1, 7-14 CST has used the image of a table to raise the question of who is left out of the abundance on which the rich of this world feast so lavishly. In today’s Gospel Jesus admonishes those who are comfortably well-off not to neglect the poor and powerless, but rather to “make a place at the table” for them as well.

Sept. 5 Ordinary Time 23 Philemon 9-10, 12-17 Paul’s letter to Philemon, a slave owner, in which he asks forgiveness for the runaway Onesimus, illustrates the radically new perspective demanded by the Gospel. CST applies this Gospel perspective with its themes of the dignity of the human person, the option for the poor, and the rights of workers.

Sept. 12 Ordinary Time 24 Lk. 15:1-32 In today’s Gospel story of the Prodigal, Jesus uses the example of one who was exploited as a hired laborer and subsequently found in his father relief from misery. While the teaching of the parable is not about just wages for workers, the example chosen by Jesus might be noted as a way to show his sensitivity to the issue. CST embodies that same concern in its teachings about the rights of workers.

Sept. 19 Ordinary Time 25 Amos 8:4-7 The prophet Amos is a classic example of God’s passionate concern for the poor and needy. Amos utters a scathing indictment of social practices that put the poor at a disadvantage. CST continues to proclaim an often radical vision of justice that challenges those structures of our society that continue to exploit the poor.

Sept. 26 Ordinary Time 26 Amos 6:1, 4-7

Luke 16:19-31 CST tends to offer a very positive message about how Christians should respond to the Gospel message of love for one’s neighbor. But Scripture also contains stern warnings about the consequences in store for those who neglect or exploit the poor and powerless. Today’s first reading and Gospel are classic examples of just such sobering admonitions.

Oct. 3 Ordinary

Time 27 Habakkuh 1:2-3; 2:2-4

Luke 17: 5-10 On this Right to Life Sunday, the prophet captures what we see so painfully: violence toward the human person and the destruction of life. But CST reminds us that we must persevere in our efforts to develop a culture of life. If we have faith, even as small as mustard seed, our efforts, with God’s grace, will overcome death and restore life.

Oct. 10 Ordinary

Time 28 Lk. 17: 11-19 CST urges us to exercise the virtue of compassion. As in our Gospel, compassion is not always greeted with a response. In a world that sometimes seems absent of concern, we are challenged to unconditionally give compassion to those whom the Lord sends our way.

Oct. 17 Ordinary Time 29 Lk. 18:1-8 CST urges Christians to seek justice for all people, and to be persistent in its pursuit. In today’s Gospel parable Jesus commends the widow’s relentless demand for justice. This passage is a wonderful source of encouragement for those who labor for justice in the world and do not always seem the fruits of their efforts.

Oct. 24 Ordinary Time 30 Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 CST speaks of the Church’s preferential option for the poor. Today’s reading from Sirach expresses in a powerful fashion the basis for the Church’s stance, reminding us of God’s compassionate concern for those who are weak and oppressed in any way.