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January 27, 2021Pope Francis used Saint Francis of Assisi as the model for what a good neighbor is like. Another example is The Good Samaritan of Luke 10:25-37. Pope Francis says that the world is losing the ideal of what a good neighbor is.
Society is becoming polarized into camps of us and them. There is a fear of the other and the unwillingness to learn about other nations, races, religions and anything that is different from themselves. Some people do not want to change and accept the human dignity of others. Some are so afraid that they, at times, become violently opposed to the other.
The pope's encyclical is eight chapters long. Most people will be able to read the letter, but the reader may want to keep a dictionary on hand due to some words that many readers may not know. Pope Francis quotes from his own works. He also quotes from several of his predecessors, saints, Vatican II, national or regional bishops' conferences and other Christian and secular sources. Sacred Scripture is a major source too.
In Ch. 1, the pope discusses how many ideas and dreams have failed in the world with modern technology and globalization. Society sees some people as not having human dignity. They can be “thrown away” when their usefulness is over like the sick and elderly or those who never started life being “useful” like those with disabilities.
He also denounces the intolerance of immigrants or refugees because they are seen as threats to economic survival of the citizens of a country. He also denounces the inequality that the economy has produced of even those who are originally from the same country. The poor get poorer and the rich get richer. The COVID-19 pandemic, he says, has shown that many companies or even people do not want to help take care of those in need. He says society has lost the ideal of being good neighbors.
In Ch. 2, the pope shows that the Good Samaritan is the great model of what a good neighbor is. In Ch. 3, the pope says that individualism is hurting the good in society. People are losing the value of taking care of one's neighbors when they need help. A just society is needed where all people have the rights to liberty, equality and human dignity. People must come first over economics. Everyone should have the ability to have property and not just the rich few.
Pope Francis says in Ch. 4 that people need to be open to other cultures, ethnic groups, religions, etc., and not to fear them but learn from them. People should not put up walls against other cultures, etc., but have a fruitful exchange of values and ideals while at the same time not giving up their own cultural values and ideals. Isolationism is not the way for cultures, nations, etc., to grow and mature.
In Ch. 5, the pope encourages politicians to realize they are meant to serve the people and not themselves. Politicians should not encourage isolationism or nationalism. In Ch. 6, he encourages people to not fear change but to dialogue and to reach a consensus. Civility and kindness are needed.
In Ch. 7, the pope reiterates that the death penalty is immoral and follows what Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have said. Criminals should receive life sentences and not the death penalty. This is in line with “love your neighbor as yourself” and the commandment “do not kill.” He also discourages war except in cases where it is for defense. Nations should not go on the offensive to coerce other nations. In Ch. 8, he discourages religion as the basis for violence or terrorism.
Pope Francis's encyclical will rub some people the wrong way; while others will rejoice in it. He is showing from Christ's perspective what a good neighbor is on various levels of society. The letter is provocative and will cause readers to ponder what the pope is saying. It will encourage the reader to look at the Catholic Christian message in regard to neighborly love and friendship. For those reasons, this letter is highly recommended.
Br. Benet Exton, O.S.B., Saint Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee, is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
