I recently read an article entitled “Famine, Affluence, and Morality” written by Peter Singer. In the article, Singer suggests that, if all people were to give as much as morally achievable to the poor (he calls this marginal utility), we could alleviate poverty throughout the world.
He also says that we need to change our thinking from offering charitable gifts to acting out our moral duty to the poor.
This article got me thinking about our duty as Catholic Christians to relieve some of the suffering of the poor.
Although Singer’s idea sounds pretty outlandish and oversimplified, I believe he was on to something. As a matter of fact, there are a few references in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that suggest similar opinion:
CCC 2317: Injustice, excessive economic or social inequality, envy, distrust, and pride raging among men and nations constantly threaten peace and cause wars.
CCC 2445: Love for the poor is incompatible with immoderate love of riches or their selfish use.
CCC 2446: St. John Chrysostom vigorously recalls this: “Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours but theirs.” “The demands of justice must be satisfied first of all; that which is already due in justice is not to be offered as a gift of charity.”
During this season of Advent, I implore everyone to open their minds and hearts to the nudging of the Holy Spirit and to go beyond offering charitable contributions to those in need and to offer what is our moral duty to give with an attitude of love.
Although we may not alleviate world poverty, our giving attitudes and the financial contributions will help those in need to see the love of Jesus through our gracious actions.
In the words of St. Rose of Lima, “When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus” (CCC 2449).
Editor’s Note: Though this guest post references the sometimes controversial Peter Singer, New Evangelizers does not in any way endorse or support the views of Mr. Singer, especially in terms of the sanctity of life and population control. The point of reference was to discuss ways to alleviate the suffering of the poor, and not to provide additional spotlight for Mr. Singer’s views. Thanks to the astute reader who brought some of Mr. Singer’s viewpoints to our attention.
Copyright © 2012, Alicia Hart
Alicia Hart
Alicia Hart is the crafty Catholic multicultural mom of three boys. She became Catholic in 2007 after a life of longing for the faith. To see her crafty ideas and reviews written from a Catholic viewpoint, visit her at her blog, Through My “I”s. Her Catholic crafts can also be found on the first Monday of every month at CatholicMom.com. Alicia can be contacted for questions and comments at [email protected]
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