January 27, 2023

Inside this issue

• CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly
• Faith and the Common Good
• Trivia
• Connections

  CCUSA Presents the Washington Weekly  
 
Overview: Negotiations continue among members of Congress concerning how to handle the debt ceiling. The CCUSA Social Policy team will participate in the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, which takes place in Washington, DC, over the next four days. In addition to partaking in liturgies and presentations marked by the theme of “Blessed are the Peacemakers,” the team will accompany participants on Tuesday, Jan. 31, to Capitol Hill for visits with their members of Congress.

Editorial credit: Joseph Sorrentino / Shutterstock.com

Economy: In the week ending January 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial [unemployment] claims was 186,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level, and a new record-setting low.  The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 190,000 to 192,000. The 4-week moving average was 197,500, a decrease of 9,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 750 from 206,000 to 206,750.  Yesterday it was reported that the U.S. economy grew at a 2.9 percent annual rate in the fourth quarter, a solid and better-than-expected pace. 
 
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  Faith and the Common Good  
 
The Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG) takes place from tomorrow, Jan. 28, to Tuesday, Jan. 31. The theme is "Blessed are the Peacemakers," which comes from the Beatitudes. Not coincidentally, the Beatitudes are also part of this Sunday's Mass readings, which will be read at the CSMG vigil Mass on Saturday evening. A perfect match, as they say.

The Beatitudes are Jesus' plan of action. His disciples embrace them, too. Some people - Sigmund Freud, most famously - considered the Beatitudes a pipe dream, similar to the hallucinations of an opium addict. But Jesus in no way wants his disciples to hide from reality. Jesus wants his disciples to engage the world at a higher level of action, fueled by a deep contemplation of his words and deeds, so that the kingdom of heaven is longed for and anticipated here on Earth.

Editorial credit: alefbet / Shutterstock.com

When the world was under the power of sin, God's commandments were stated negatively: thou shalt not do this, thou shalt not do that. Indeed, the commandments remain a sure path to avoid sin. But with Jesus the kingdom of heaven breaks into the world. By his grace, Jesus makes it possible and calls his disciples to live as citizens of heaven now.

A disciple who yields himself or herself to Christ can resolve to be poor in spirit, to mourn, to be meek. Even when he or she is insulted or persecuted or misunderstood, the disciple can rejoice and be glad in the faith of Christ that sin and death have already been conquered. The disciple is set free not merely to avoid evil but to achieve the good.

Many people around the world have been re-examining the writings of Pope Benedict XVI since his death on Dec. 31, 2022. He, perhaps more than any pope, encouraged Christians to carry out the work of love, as part and parcel of one's relationship with Jesus. Indeed, he reminded us that Christians have the duty to organize social life justly and for the common good (albeit without confusing the legitimate roles of Church and State).

Striving to live by the Beatitudes requires great effort, and it is an act of faith. Meetings like CSMG help by bringing disciples together for fellowship, learning, and encouragement. In the work for peace, for example, it is a grace to be with people committed to the same goal, especially at a time when peace (at any level of society) seems impossible to achieve in a world as divided as ours. But again, we can remember that, as disciples of Jesus, we are not trying to create a utopia on Earth. We are preparing ourselves and the world to receive Jesus when he ushers in his kingdom in its fullness.
 
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  Trivia  
 
Q. On Jan. 27, 1302, what event precipitated the writing of The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri?

Please send your answers to [email protected]. 

Last week's question and answer:

Q. On January 20 two years ago, what happened for the first time in the history of the U.S.?

A. Many thanks to Anne Dryden, retired archivist from CCUSA, for being first with the right answer: The first person of color and the first woman was inaugurated as vice president of the United States (Kamala Harris).
 
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  Connections  
 
Please share the weekly with your friends, family and networks so that we can build a movement of solidarity for those most in need!

Text "CCUSA" to #50457 to receive our action alerts! 

You can also access advocacy opportunities through our advocacy and policy page.

Stay connected with our work to end poverty: Follow us on Twitter: @EndPoverty.   

If you would like to help further Catholic Charities' commitment to alleviating, reducing, and preventing poverty, you can contribute here.
 
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