This troubling book...
Illustration
Object:
This troubling book regarding Paul's interaction with the slave of a Christian implies a number of fruitful illustrations for getting across the point that God cares for the poor, for those who have been and are enslaved, and that they have an important contribution to make to the life of the church. Slavery is still a problem in the modern world. As recently as 2010 the U.S. State Department's office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons reported 1.3 million persons are enslaved. And poverty is of course the condition of slaves, just as poverty itself enslaves. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 1 in 6 Americans lives in poverty, and a disproportionate number of these are the heirs of slaves (African Americans and Native Americans).
The reality portrayed in the text pertaining to the slave Onesimus' faithfulness illustrates a trend today and through much of human history. Poor people tend to be more devout than those in better financial positions. A 2009 study of the Gallup organization revealed that while 84% of the global population claim religion is an important part of their lives, in poor nations 95% of the population made this claim.
God seems to have a special mission and a special concern for the poor. This is a text to make that clear to parishioners, to stop their bashing of those enchained by poverty. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2448) concisely makes this point: "For those who are oppressed by poverty are the object of a preferential love on the part of the church... to work for their relief, defenses, and liberation through numerous works of charity which remain indispensable always and everywhere."
The reality portrayed in the text pertaining to the slave Onesimus' faithfulness illustrates a trend today and through much of human history. Poor people tend to be more devout than those in better financial positions. A 2009 study of the Gallup organization revealed that while 84% of the global population claim religion is an important part of their lives, in poor nations 95% of the population made this claim.
God seems to have a special mission and a special concern for the poor. This is a text to make that clear to parishioners, to stop their bashing of those enchained by poverty. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2448) concisely makes this point: "For those who are oppressed by poverty are the object of a preferential love on the part of the church... to work for their relief, defenses, and liberation through numerous works of charity which remain indispensable always and everywhere."
