Jesus once healed a man who had leprosy. He not only healed the leper, but he also restored his dignity and allowed him to retake his place in society. Jesus also showed how riches could get in the way of being charitable, in the parable of the rich young man. He was talking to a rich man who asked him how could he get eternal life. The rich man said that he had followed the commandments all his life. However, Jesus told him he had to do one more thing, ¹“Go sell his riches and give them to the poor.” The man simply couldn’t do this and walked away. Jesus then said, “It is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than it is for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle.” Christians believe that we must share our wealth because riches lead to greed, which results in poverty, selfishness and injustice. This is why Christians believe that we have a responsibility to speak out against corruption and greed. For example, people such as Oscar Romero, a modern-day martyr, spoke out against the corrupt government in El Salvador and death squads who sent him death threats. He supported the poor people who were getting poorer, despite the death threats. He said, “I must tell you, as a Christian, I do not believe in death without resurrection. If I am killed, I shall arise in the people of El Salvador.” He ‘urged peaceful reform, asking God to overcome the spirit of hatred and revenge.’ He refused to hide the corruptions of El Salvador from the world, trying to stop the violence by writing to the American president, asking him to ban the sending of arms to El Salvador. He was a true ‘pastor’, and was murdered while celebrating Mass on the 24th of March, 1980.
In conclusion, we, as Christians believe that they have a responsibility to care for other people, as we believe that Jesus is in everyone. However, we also believe that riches can get in the way of Christian characteristics such as generosity and kindness.
Skill A02
Choose two specific examples of problems faced by people in developing countries and explain how Christians might apply the beliefs you have identified to the problems.
Famine and AIDS are two major and severe problems that are faced by people in developing countries. Christians recognise the suffering that these problems bring and believe that it is our duty to help the unfortunate victims of them. Christians have responded in many ways over the years; for example, Self Help Development International was founded in 1984 in response to the Ethiopian famine that was taking place at the time. The provide tree seedlings, which, when the trees grow, will bind soil together and allow the land to be cultivated. They provide very few personnel, so that local people can learn to work for themselves. This is allowing local people to survive independently of aid agencies. Programmes like this reflect Christ’s words, “I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,” and “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and feed him for life.” After all, the underprivileged people of less economically developed countries such as Africa do not want handouts, but the chance to provide for themselves and their family. This then gives them the opportunity to restore their dignity and social status as a provider.
AIDS/HIV is also a major problem among MEDC’s such as Africa. It is a fact that 23 million people in the continent of Africa are HIV positive, with over one million under the age of sixteen. These statistics are shocking, considering that people with AIDS are considered outcasts from society. It is therefore our duty, as Christians, to help the average person understand that someone with AIDS is not a threat to them, and that they should be accepted into society, as any person would be. However, prevention also needs to play a major part in the battle against AIDS, with charities such as Trócaire providing contraceptives and education about the virus to countries, which would otherwise be none the wiser to the risks. We must be good Christians to people who are infected by AIDS by letting them know that they are perfectly welcome in our society, providing and example to other Christians and educating them;
AIDS is not spread by shaking hands,
By sitting in the same pews,
By eating at the same table,
By using the same utensils,
Toilets or swimming pools.
Africa Magazine, St. Patrick’s Missions.
It is our responsibility to dispel the myths about AIDS and let people know that an HIV positive person is NOT dangerous. It is perfectly safe to have a normal social relationship with an infected person, therefore, they should not be excluded from society. Jesus provided an example for Christians to follow when he healed the leper. He gave the leper the chance to live a normal life, and take his place in society. This is a far greater gift than that of money or other material things.
In conclusion, Christians apply their beliefs of giving everyone a chance in life by, in the case of famine, providing them with the necessities needed to provide for themselves, or in the case of AIDS, educating other people so that they can understand that they do not need to be afraid of HIV positive people as they are in no danger, thus giving the infected people a chance to take part in society as anyone would.
Taken from The Roman Catholic Tradition, By Joanne Cleave
