J1ST 130: Care for those who are Homeless
According to a recent study, up to 3 Million Americans are currently homeless. The US Bishops refer to this as a tragedy, which we are all asked to help remedy. Afterall, as JPII said, a home is not just a roof and four walls. A home is where life takes place, and each human person has a right to a home.
In this episode I share my own experience with homelessness, which I witnessed as a teacher for at-risk youth. Modern homelessness often looks like “couch-surfing” and places youth at terrible risk for abuse.
I also share my (sinful) tendency to judge before loving. It is hard for me to not see those who are homeless as lazy, or pause before helping to wonder why this person is homeless. Mother Teresa is a wonderful example of avoiding these sins, and just diving in and helping--of loving first.
Finally, this episode on homelessness reminds us that sheltering those who are homeless is one of the corporal works of mercy. In Matthew 25, Christ shares what we will all be asked at the final judgment--and how if we fed, clothed and sheltered those most in need, we are actually serving Jesus Christ and earning the eternal reward. Therefore, we need to strive to care for those who are homeless, aware that they are Christ in disguise.
Our exploration of Care for those who are Homeless comes directly out of our new book, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH. CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH a ready-to-use script for Catholic parents as they set to work teaching their children the TRUTH on all of our modern moral and social issues. With full Imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can trust this book to effectively teach what is true, while inviting your child into what is also beautiful.
Organized around the themes laid out by the USCCB, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING FOR YOUTH will walk you and your child through all 31 Catholic Social Teaching topics, from the Dignity of the Human Person, through the Call to Family, Solidarity, Care for the Land and Workers Rights.
To get your copy, head here: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/products/catholic-social-teaching-for-youth
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Your sister in the small things,
Nancy