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Religion: Texts in Society

Passages

Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ (v45)

For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet (v24)

But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz′arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. (v25)

But if any one has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? (v17)

 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness (v7)

If there is among you a poor man... you shall not harden your heart... but you shall open your hand to him (vv7-8)

Social attitudes

The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important.

  1. They had the right of gleaning the fields (Leviticus 19:9, 10; Deuteronomy 24:19, 21).
  2. In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6).
  3. In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Leviticus 25:25-30).
  4. Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Exodus 22:25-27; Deuteronomy 24:10-13). The rich were to be generous to the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-11).
  5. In the sabbatical and jubilee years the bond-servant was to go free (Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Leviticus 25:39-42, 47-54).
  6. Certain portions from the tithes were assigned to the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; 26:12, 13).
  7. They shared in the feasts (Deuteronomy 16:11, 14; Nehemiah 8:10).
  8. Wages were to be paid at the close of each day (Leviticus 19:13).

Source - Easton's Bible Dictionary

 

Books

  • Introduction to Deuteronomy (International Bible Society)  - including title, date, author, historical setting, special function in the Bible, teaching and purpose, structure and outline
  • Introduction to Isaiah (International Bible Society) - position in the Hebrew Bible, author, date, background, themes and theology, literary features.
  • Introduction to Matthew (International Bible Society) - including author, date and place of writing, recipients, purpose, structure and outline
  • Introduction to Luke (International Bible Society) - including author, recipient and purpose, date and place, style, characteristics, sources, plan, outline
  • Introduction to 1 John (International Bible Society) - including author, date, recipients, gnosticism, occasion and purpose, outline

People

St. Luke,  author of the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, a companion of St. Paul the Apostle, and the most literary of the New Testament writers. Information about his life is scanty. Tradition based on references in the Pauline Letters has regarded him as a physician and a Gentile. He probably accompanied Paul on several missionary journeys.

St. Matthew,  one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and the traditional author of the first Synoptic Gospel. According to Matthew 9:9 and Mark 2:14, Matthew was sitting by the customs house in Capernaum (on the Sea of Galilee) when Jesus called him into his company. Matthew (probably meaning “Yahweh’s Gift”) would appear to be the Christian name of Levi, who had been employed as a tax collector in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. Because Levi’s occupation was one that earned distrust and contempt everywhere, the scribes of the Pharisees criticized Jesus on seeing him eat with tax collectors and sinners, whereupon Jesus answered, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:15–17). According to Luke 5:29, the aforementioned dinner was given by Levi in his house after his call.

Isaiah son of Amoz is often thought of as the greatest of the writing prophets. His name means “The Lord saves.” He was a contemporary of Amos, Hosea and Micah, beginning his ministry in 740 b.c., the year King Uzziah died (see note on 6:1). According to an unsubstantiated Jewish tradition, he was sawed in half during the reign of Manasseh (cf.Heb 11:37).

Isaiah was married and had at least two sons, Shear-Jashub (7:3) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (8:3). He probably spent most of his life in Jerusalem, enjoying his greatest influence under King Hezekiah (see 37:1–2). Isaiah is also credited with writing a history of the reign of King Uzziah (2Ch 26:22).

Moses, Hebrew prophet, teacher, and leader who, in the 13th century bce (before the Common Era, or bc), delivered his people from Egyptian slavery. In the Covenant ceremony at Mt. Sinai, where the Ten Commandments were promulgated, he founded the religious community known as Israel. 

His influence continues to be felt in the religious life, moral concerns, and social ethics of Western civilization, and therein lies his undying significance.

At the call of God, Abram, with his wife, Sarai, and Lot, and the rest of his belongings, went into the Land of Chanaan, amongst other places to Sichem and Bethel, where he built altars to the Lord.

Personal reflection

  1. What does your chosen Bible passage say to you?
  2. Have you ever purchased the Big Issue?
  3. How do you view op shops? What does this say about your attitude to poverty?
  4. How do you treat people who ask you for money?
  5. What charities have you supported, at school and in your own time?
  • Happy week and Feast Day - fundraiser for Mary Ward International e.g. in 2019 - Lukulu
  • Friday Night School - high school students tutor younger children from refugee or migrant backgrounds (Lateline video - 6 mins)

Mandate

Caritas Australia works through the principles and practice of community development, supporting people to help themselves out of poverty, hunger and injustice.

History

For over 110 years, Caritas has worked towards the creation of a just world. In 1964, Caritas began in Australia. A Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, Caritas is Latin for love + compassion – two qualities which are central to our work.

Development approach

Caritas Australia is committed to serving people who are vulnerable to extreme poverty and marginalisation. We work with people regardless of religious, political or cultural beliefs.

Our development approach is to support whole communities, rather than sponsor individuals. A village well, a community school, a trained primary health worker — these can all help to improve life for everyone.

Quick Links

Places

Babylonian Captivity,  the forced detention of Jews in Babylonia following the latter’s conquest of the kingdom of Judah in 598/7 and 587/6 bce. The captivity formally ended in 538 bce, when the Persian conqueror of BabyloniaCyrus the Great, gave the Jews permission to return to Palestine. Historians agree that several deportations took place (each the result of uprisings in Palestine), that not all Jews were forced to leave their homeland, that returning Jews left Babylonia at various times, and that some Jews chose to remain in Babylonia—thus constituting the first of numerous Jewish communities living permanently in the Diaspora.