Scripture Reading – Readings for the Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catechesis Video

Grades 7-12

1. What does the “option for the poor and vulnerable” mean?
2. Pope Benedict XVI, in the document “Charity in Truth”, stated:  “justice is inseparable from charity, and intrinsic to it.”   Within paragraphs 6 and 7 of the document he expands on this. Read those paragraphs and discuss what this means for legislation and government policy as it relates to poverty and homelessness.
3. Is charity enough to end poverty by itself? Why not?
4. Pope Francis tells us that serving those in need must go beyond almsgiving but must include a true encounter with others. How can we accomplish this?

Parish Leaders/Committees

1. What does the “option for the poor and vulnerable” mean?
2. Pope Benedict XVI, in the document “Charity in Truth”, stated:  “justice is inseparable from charity, and intrinsic to it.”   Within paragraphs 6 and 7 of the document he expands on this. Read those paragraphs and discuss what this means for legislation and government policy as it relates to poverty and homelessness.
3. Is charity enough to end poverty by itself? Why not?
4. Pope Francis tells us that serving those in need must go beyond almsgiving but must include a true encounter with others. How can we accomplish this?

Faith Sharing/Parishioners/Bible Study

1. What does the “option for the poor and vulnerable” mean?
2. Pope Benedict XVI, in the document “Charity in Truth”, stated:  “justice is inseparable from charity, and intrinsic to it.”   Within paragraphs 6 and 7 of the document he expands on this. Read those paragraphs and discuss what this means for legislation and government policy as it relates to poverty and homelessness.
3. Is charity enough to end poverty by itself? Why not?
4. Pope Francis tells us that serving those in need must go beyond almsgiving but must include a true encounter with others. How can we accomplish this?

Witness Video 

Since the creation of this video Oscar Romero has been declared a saint by the church.

Witness Video Reflection Questions

Grades 7-12

1. St. Oscar Romero experienced a tragedy that made him reconsider his approach to the poor. What was that tragedy and how did it change him?
2. How did St. Romero stand up for the poor? He talked about being with the people; how was he “with” the people?
3. St. Romero was a martyr for the poor and vulnerable. How might his martyrdom inspire us to serve the poor?

Parish Leadership/Committees

1. St. Oscar Romero experienced a tragedy that made him reconsider his approach to the poor. What was that tragedy and how did it change him?
2. How did St. Romero stand up for the poor? He talked about being with the people; how was he “with” the people?
3. St. Romero was a martyr for the poor and vulnerable. How might his martyrdom inspire us to serve the poor?

Faithsharing/Parishioner/College Students

1. St. Oscar Romero experienced a tragedy that made him reconsider his approach to the poor. What was that tragedy and how did it change him?
2. How did St. Romero stand up for the poor? He talked about being with the people; how was he “with” the people?
3. St. Romero was a martyr for the poor and vulnerable. How might his martyrdom inspire us to serve the poor?

Action Steps

Grades 7-12

1. Do a class project or write a paper using resources from povertyusa.org or https://www.confrontglobalpoverty.org/ to help educate people about poverty in our nation and the world. Learn how we can effect change to end poverty.
2. Stay up to date with Action Alerts on various issues, Catholic Confront Global Poverty Action Center, the Poverty USA Action Center, and the Iowa Catholic Conference Action Center
3. Consider participating in a parish or community activity that serves the homeless and poor.

Parish Leadership/Committees

1. Share resources with your parish from povertyusa.org or https://www.confrontglobalpoverty.org/ to help educate people about poverty in our nation and globally and learn how we can effect change to end poverty.
2. Stay up to date with Action Alerts on various issues, Catholic Confront Global Poverty Action Center, the Poverty USA Action Center, and the Iowa Catholic Conference Action Center
3. Consider evaluating and discerning current works your parish does to serve the poor and vulnerable. Does your parish follow “two feet of love in action” approach, doing charity and working towards a just society through advocacy?

Faithsharing/Parishioners/College Students

1. Share resources with your parish from povertyusa.org or https://www.confrontglobalpoverty.org/ to help educate people about poverty in our nation and globally and learn how we can effect change to end poverty.
2. Stay up to date with Action Alerts on various issues, Catholic Confront Global Poverty Action Center, the Poverty USA Action Center, and the Iowa Catholic Conference Action Center
3. Consider participating in a parish or community activity that serves the homeless and poor.

Closing Prayer

God of Justice,
open our eyes
to see you in the face of the poor.
Open our ears
to hear you in the cries of the exploited.
Open our mouths
to defend you in the public squares
as well as in private deeds.
Remind us that what we do
to the least ones,
we do to you.
Amen.

—from Being Neighbor, the Catechism and Social Justice,Catholic Campaign for Human Development, ©1998 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops