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456 • Part III. Christian Morality: The Faith Lived
• The Christian practice of giving and sharing is a powerful alternative
to greed and a positive contribution to a peaceful and just society.
• “Detachment from riches is necessary for entering the Kingdom of
heaven. ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’” (CCC, no. 2556).
• “Envy often comes from pride; the baptized person should train him-
self to live in humility: ‘Would you like to see God glorified by you?
Then rejoice in your brother’s progress and you will immediately give
glory to God. Because his servant could conquer envy by rejoicing in
the merits of others, God will be praised’” (CCC, no. 2540, citing St.
John Chrysostom,
Homiliae in ad Romanos
, no. 71, 5).
MEDITATION
The Church witnesses the fact that human dignity cannot be
destroyed, whatever the situation of poverty, scorn, rejection or
powerlessness to which a human being has been reduced. [The
Church] shows her solidarity with those who do not count in
a society by which they are rejected spiritually and sometimes
even physically. She is particularly drawn with maternal affec-
tion toward those children who, through human wickedness,
will never be brought forth from the womb to the light of day,
as also for the elderly, alone and abandoned. The special option
for the poor . . . manifests the universality of the Church’s being
and mission.
—Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
Instruction on Christian Freedom and Liberation
(1986), no. 68
PRAYER
The Prayer of a Poor Man (The Canticle of the Sun)
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.
To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day;