Why “#should” my reflections on “On Care for our Common Home“—addressed to all people of good will—include my convictions as a Catholic believer to “Rejoice! … just don’t come and sit!”, as reflected in today’s Gospel, Luke 3: 10-18❓
I should “Rejoice! … just don’t come and sit!”
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
By including my faith perspective, “should” I not only enrich my reflections but also demonstrate how Catholic social teaching offers a profound framework for addressing the ecological crisis in solidarity with all people of good will, so that I may “Rejoice in the Lord always“❓
Alleluia, alleluia, John the Baptist’s message is prophetic, urging people to prepare for the coming of the Lord by living justly; similarly, Laudato Si’ carries a prophetic urgency about the environmental crisis, calling for immediate action to protect our common home; consequently, as one baptized into the prophetic mission, “should” I not cry out, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor“❓ Alleluia, alleluia.
2021 CCMA Awards – Chris Stapleton – You “Should” Probably Leave
Finally, by including my faith perspective, “should” I not only enrich my reflections but also demonstrate how Catholic social teaching offers a profound framework for addressing the ecological crisis in solidarity with all people of good will; therefore, for me at least, it is the answer to the question:
Stuart: Is there something I “should” be doing? Bryan Mills: You have a lease agreement with NetJet through one of your shell companies. Stuart: I do. Bryan Mills: Get me a plane to Paris. Stuart: For when? Bryan Mills: An hour ago.
Why “should” this document, addressed to all people of good will, include a chapter dealing with the convictions of believers❓
