Educational Resource
Catholic Social Teaching Scripture Guide (2012)
Catholic social teaching has been called the Church’s “best kept secret.” Yet, from the beginning of time, God’s call to justice has been clear. The Law and the Prophets both preserve a deep tradition of social justice in ancient Israel. Jesus himself proclaimed and embodied a society ruled by justice and charity—the Reign of God. For over one hundred years, the Church has contributed to this tradition in papal and episcopal writings. Finally, we see the social teachings of the Church written throughout history in the lives of holy men and women.
This guide is an adaptation of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s Scripture Guide. It was created to deepen the understanding of the scriptural foundations of Catholic social teaching. The scripture passages are organized around the seven themes of Catholic social teaching. Some passages are short, just a few verses. Others are longer—stories or parables—that embody the social teachings. These are only a few suggestions, although it is likely the reader will recall many more examples of these themes in scripture. Some settings where this resource may be particularly useful include, but are not limited to, small faith-sharing groups, the Rite of Christian Initiation for adults, Journey to Justice retreats, service or immersion reflections, campus ministry activities, and courses that address issues of poverty and injustice.