Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 7th Sunday of Easter.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are fourteen (14) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Seventh Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘You shall not steal.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2458.
The judgment of Holy Mother Church in matters of Faith and Morals has the assurance of divine assistance (cf. Matthew 16:18; 18:18; Luke 10:16; 1 Timothy 3:15). This is the solemn teaching not only of Sacred Scripture but also of the Supreme Magisterium (Teaching Authority) of the Church as found in both Ecumenical Counsels at the Vatican 1870 and 1965 (cf. Pastor Aeternus 4.9 and Lumen Gentium, 25).
Economic and social judgments made by Mother Church are a part of her moral teaching. For example theft is an abuse within any economic system, as organized crime. To not pay a just wage is a form of theft. Extortion by labor or capital alike is contrary to the Seventh Commandment. While economic science is distinct from theological science, economics presupposes goods and services which are the foundations of economics. This is to call to mind the Creation (and the Creator) of all that is good (cf. Genesis 1:31). Laws of supply and demand likewise follow from our human nature which has been created (and redeemed) by God
Mother Church cares for us both spiritually and temporally. While there are some who would be happy for Mother Church to stay within the sanctuary walls, Christ the Lord sends us His followers out into the world for the conversion of hearts and minds and societies (cf. Matthew 28:19).
Mother Church raises her voice for all to hear when the fundamental rights of persons or the salvation of souls requires. When corruption, economic or otherwise, carries the day, all suffer. Fundamental rights are included in the Declaration of Independence, namely life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Liberty is not license to do whatever we want but to do whatever is good, true and beautiful, at home, at work, at play (cf. Galatians 5:1; Philippians 4:8; 1 Peter 2:16). Someone who is addicted to or abuses alcohol or other drugs and vices has a false sense of happiness. The Beatitudes of the Lord Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–12) gives us a supernatural appreciation for true happiness which leads to the blessed eternal happiness of Heaven where there will be no more suffering, sin or sadness (cf. Revelation 21:4).
God is our ultimate end and the sovereign good of each human person and of human society (cf, Exodus 15:18; Psalm 10:16; 22:28; 29:10; 47:2, 8; 95:3; 99:1; 103:19; 115:3; 135:6 Daniel 4:17, 35; 1 Chronicles 16:31; Ephesians 1:11;1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16). For us to be satisfied with anything less is to short-change ourselves. As Saint Augustine (354–430) reminds us “our hearts are restless until they rest in You” (Confessions I, 1).
Mother Church serves the common good through her interventions, her teachings, her proclamation of the saving Gospel.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr