The Human Person
The vocation of humanity is to show forth the image of God and to be transformed into the image of the Father’s only Son. This vocation takes a personal form since each of us is called to enter into divine holiness; it also concerns the human community as a whole.
All people are called to the same end. God Himself. There is a certain resemblance between the union of the divine persons and the fraternity that men are to establish among themselves in truth and love. Love of neighbor is inseparable from love of God.
The Human Person Needs Society
Society is not for us something extra, but a requirement of a human being’s nature. Through interaction with others, mutual service, and dialogue with others, the person develops his potential, and thus responds to his vocation.
A society is a group of persons bound together by common goals and ideas, and shared imagination and action. As an assembly that is at once visible and spiritual, society endures through time; it gathers up the past and prepares for the future. Through his membership in society each person shares in its endowment, and his identity is enriched by that heritage. He owes loyalty to the communities of which he is a part and respect for those who are in authority, who are called to work for the common good.
Each community is defined by its nature and purpose. These in turn are the basis for inner laws of that society. The human person always ought to be seen as the basis of every society and all social institutions should support both the human person and the common good.
Certain societies, such as the family and the state, correspond more directly with the nature of man. They are necessary for him. In addition, the creation of voluntary associations and institutions should be encouraged on both the local and the broader levels. Such associations can be for economic and social goals. This socialization also expresses the natural tendency for human beings to associate with one another for goals that exceed their limited capacities. Organizing groups develops individual initiative and responsibility, and helps to guarantee rights.
Socialization also Presents Dangers
Excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative. In governing the world God shows his great regard for human freedom, and this wisdom should inspire those who govern human communities.
The Principle of Subsidiary
The principle of subsidiary function means, that the higher level authorities should not try to micro manage lower social entities, in matters proper to these lower communities. In other words, more important laws affecting the entire society should be made by those responsible for the entire society. Lower level communities should be responsible for matters respecting only those communities.
Social justice begins with respect for the enormous dignity of the human person. To exercise the virtue of Social Justice one must work to defend and promote respect for the dignity of the human being.
These rights are not given to human persons by governments, but governments must recognize the rights given by God. The moral legitimacy of every authority depends on the recognition of human rights in its positive legislation. In totalitarian societies, such rights are trampled upon by force or violence. It is part of the Church’s teaching on social justice to remind men and women of God’s will about these sacred rights and to show their foundation.
If we wish to have respect for human persons, we should look upon our neighbors as ourselves. We must do what we can to make sure that he has what is necessary for living human life with dignity. Laws alone cannot do away with fears and prejudices. Such sinful behavior can be overcome only through charity which sees in every person-our neighbor, our brother or a sister. We show ourselves a neighbor to others especially through active service on their behalf, with special concern for the poor and the disadvantaged. “What ever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”
Christ teaches us to forgive those who offend us. We say, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The Great Commandment of love reaches out even to our enemies. The Spirit of the Gospel is incompatible with hatred of one’s enemy. We should fight against evils but forgive those who do evil.
