The Answer is Love

I do not know what the future will bring, but this morning as I lay in bed I could not sleep. I was thinking about it.

We are not prepared today. We are not prepared for those who are out of work. We are not prepared for those who have lost their homes. We are not prepared for those who will lose their sources of money quickly in the future, and be in need of even the basics, like food. Many are protesting, even more each day, that the government must provide. They are protesting that companies must provide. They are protesting that those who have must give --- or they will take it. Their protests are right in only one thing: those who have must give, but the protesters are wrong-headed in their thinking if those who have are unwilling to give. If they are unwilling to give, they must be preached to, they must be given example, they must be taught, they must be loved --- so that they learn how to love.

We know of a teacher who taught those things well. We say we will follow Him. We need to be prepared to do so.

The Catholic Church is home to so many of Christ’s people. It is home to so many of his Words, and actions. It teaches what those words are and what they mean. It teaches how we should live out His actions. It teaches how to love your neighbor. And it teaches that it is not the government nor companies who must first provide for our neighbor; first, it is us.

Read the catechism on the principle of subsidiarity:

Socialism presents dangers. Excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative. The teaching of the Church has elaborated the principle of subsidiarity, according to which “a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions.” (CCC 1883)

God has not willed to reserve to himself all exercise of power. He entrusts every creature the functions it is capable of performing. This mode of governance ought to be followed in social life. The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to all forms of collectivism. It sets limits for state intervention. It aims at harmonizing the relationships between individuals and societies. (CCC 1884-5)

The family should live in such a way that its members learn to care and take responsibility for the young, the old, the sick, the handicapped, and the poor. There are many families who are at time incapable of providing this help. It devolves then on other persons, other families, and, in a subsidiary way, society to provide for their needs. (CCC 2208)

I think many people in our Catholic family have forgotten these things. Perhaps many have never been taught these things. They need to be taught now. They need to be put into action now. We need to prepare now. We are a family in Christ. We are the ones called to help others. We are the first ones called to step forward, asking of God and neighbor, “What can I do?” --- for my family, first.

I am an analyst by the talents I was given. It would be easy for me to step forward with proposals for sharing and caring within my family of Christ. It would be easy for me to think that I must lead, but I would be wrong. The one to lead is the one who would not let me sleep this morning. He has the answers, the correct answers. They are not formulas and rules on how to share, like a socialist government would issue. The answers for each family many be different, for each family is different. The answers must come from Him and His Spirit, guiding each family. The answers start in family prayer, then I firmly believe, He will not let us sleep until we love one another, as He showed us how to love. Love isn’t based on what we need or what we take from another. Love is based on what we give, what we willingly give to another, as He did. He gave love to the people He met who needed love, one person at a time.

Subsidiarity: it started with Him. In each family, in each parish, we need to pray for the Gifts of the Spirit, that it might start with us.

The answer is in love.