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Liam Lynch

Newsletter

Hello my fellow Catholics. I write to you today, not to commend you for your Christ-like

acts, but to ask more of you. As a community, we have become too satisfied with where we are

at. We must understand that what we have will never be enough. We can no longer be content

with simply attending our weekly mass and providing a small donation. There is so much more

that we all can do to make this world a much more loving place, and frankly the situation has

become to dire not to take action.

This statement is certainly a generalization, but everyone in this assembly is too

concerned with themselves, and not enough with the impoverished. Imagine the least fortunate

member of our Church, and then try to imagine thousands of men, women, and children who are

not so much as a tenth of as blessed. Our city has a problem with the homeless. It may seem

insensitive and short sighted to say so, but accept it. And once you have done that, recognize that

the problem does not lie these people, or their predispositions. The problem lies within you, and

those who you call your brothers and your sisters.

Now do not get me wrong. I am not claiming that you all are bad Catholics. However if

you dare to call yourself Catholic, then there should be a moral obligation to seek out the less

fortunate. I understand that it may seem difficult at first; living off of less will take adjusting to,

but the quality of life of those in need will increase exponentially if we spread our love. I am sure

that the sacrifice will be worth it to save families and bring spirits closer to Christ. Our mission

as Catholics is ultimately to evangelize, and what better way to do so than to restore people’s

faith in God. Do not tell me the faith of a man who has lost his job and a home for his family
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would not be restored if our Church were to intervene and provide this man with everything

essential to him. In this way, we can change the world’s view of Catholicism. We would be able

to pave the way for making everyone financially independent, for “the dignity of the individual

will flourish when the decisions cocncerning [their] life are in [their] own hands” (174).

As of right now, the most influential thing our congregation can do to help the war on

poverty is to give more. Whether this be giving more money, time, or prayers, there can never be

enough.

These charitable acts will not last forever though. Eventually, we must move towards a

system more sustainable. Logically and morally, a guaranteed annual income is necessary for all.

Be warned, this viewpoint denounces some of the flaws of capitalism, but it is the Catholic

stance. If we are to be truly concerned for our brothers and sisters, and want to live in a world

that continually reciprocates love, then we must approach this method of social security that

closest resembles utopia. With a guaranteed annual income, it will be difficult to walk the streets

and see a citizen of the United States who is homeless, hungry, and helpless. Here is where we

will make right what capitalism got wrong. Our capitalistic society believes that every person has

the potential to make a living for themselves, no matter what. Where this system fails and the

proposed succeeds, is that a guaranteed annual income acknowledges all predispositions and

unfortunate circumstances. If the world has been cruel to someone, do not tell me that the

America that we live in now is more conducive to success than one where someone is at the very

least promised food and shelter. As Catholics we must, and I cannot stress this enough, love our

neighbors ​more.​ We have to have one communal love for all, and a desire for the human race as

a whole to succeed. The war on poverty has gone on for too long. So much of the bible preaches
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charity and giving to the poor, that we all should take it personally that poverty still exist in the

world today.

The Catholic Church, while it has managed to avoid angering the populous too much, has

failed in encouraging its constituents to radicalize themselves. In today’s times, the word radical

often carries a twisted notion, but nonetheless, we must desire to be called the radical Catholics,

and our church needs to accept that this radical notion is living a life guided solely by love.

Truly, I cannot emphasize the necessity of living out your life to as close as Jesus would. While I

have already stated it, I will say it again. Those of us blessed enough to know Jesus Christ are on

a mission to bring as many brothers and sisters with us to the kingdom of Heaven as we can. We

are put on this Earth by God’s grace, and are given a mission of spreading a pure, collective love.

It is not my opinion, but simply a fact that everyone of this congregation could do more in the

pursuit of love and happiness. There are thousands in this city alone, and millions, possibly

billions, more around the globe who should never again know the feeling of going to bed hungry

and without a roof over their head. The emphasis of this whole essay is on the individual, and

what an individual must do if they truly want the world to become a more loving place.

However, if we actually want to see change, ​real​ change, the importance is placed on the

community. We all must hold each other accountable. While one person giving all that they can

to help others and spread love will certainly be appreciated, just imagine the impact of one

hundred, or even one thousand.

There is so much potential in this one affiliation alone to change so many lives that we

must not wait any longer. I plead, and I beg of you. Start giving all that you can to those in need.

And then, once you have done that, do it again, because I assure you there will always be more to
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give to your neighbors. “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are

the sacrifices that please God” Hebrews 13:16. I know that this war on poverty will be tough in

the following years, but we must endure in our endeavors and continue to spread love throughout

the world. Amen.