Writings 'And The Option Of The Poor Arises From Faith In Christ'

Taylor Farace Professor Murphy CIT 202 1st May 2024 How Can We Form A More Just Society For The Common Good? In their respective works, "Selected Writings" by Dorothy Day and "The Option of the Poor Arises from Faith in Christ" by Gustavo Gutiérrez, both authors offer profound insights into the issue of poverty and its role in shaping a more just society for the common good. Day and Gutiérrez, approach the issue from different perspectives but cover the same central thesis: in addressing poverty it is not only a moral imperative but also a pathway to creating a more equitable, compassionate society. Day and Gutiérrez articulate this thesis through examining new lenses, and proposed solutions inspiring action towards creating a more socially

For Day, poverty is as much a social issue as a spiritual one, believing that serving the poor is as important as serving Christ himself. Specifically, Day believes that “the mystery of the poor is this: that they are Jesus, and what you do for them you do for Him. It is the only way we have to know and believe in our love. The mystery of poverty is that by sharing in it, making ourselves poor in giving to others, we can increase our knowledge of and belief in love” (Day 106). Overall, proclaiming that the poor in our society should be viewed as Christ, and nothing less. Using people in poverty as a symbol of the sacrifice Jesus made for his disciples, demonstrating that they should be helped and viewed as equals to Jesus. Additionally, Day underscores the idea that Christ is present in every person, especially those in need, and that by helping others, we can deepen our true understanding of love and compassion. Day states, “Christ is always with us, always asking for room in our hearts. he walks and with the heart of anyone in need that he longs for

In his view, true discipleship requires a commitment to social, economic, and political reforms to address the root causes of poverty and injustice, enriching our society overall to form a more fulfilling and just society for the common good. Dorothy Day and Gustavo Gutierrez, approach the issue of poverty from slightly different angles, both advocating for a more just society rooted in love, solidarity, and the dignity of every human person stemming from Jesus’ leadership. Day draws conclusions from Catholic social teaching, emphasizing personal responsibility and direct action that she believes is required by all people in society. highlighting the importance of seeing Christ in each other, stating, “it is most surely an exercise of faith for us to see Christ in each other. But it is through such exercise that we grow and the joy of our vocation assures us we are only on the right path” (Day 106). On the other hand, Gutierrez's theology is more systemic and structural, focusing on the need for social and economic change to address the root causes of poverty and