The Impact of the Cross in the World TodaySession 2: Authentic Human Development

Charity in TruthHuman DevelopmentThe Growing Gap“Justice for All” small group role playingRole playing characters: Who am I?What is News? Center City HeraldPlenary Discussion: What is unfairThe Church picnic parable:Social Analysis The Two feet of Justice Presentation Points

Charity in Truth

Charity in Truth #53 One of the deepest forms of poverty a person can experience is isolation… The development of peoples depends, above all, on a recognition that the human race is a single family working together into true communion, not simply a group of subjects who happen to live side by side.

I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written, “The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.”2 Corinthians 8:13-15

Justice for All: A Role Playing GameWelcome to Center City. For the next 30 minutes or so, we’re all going to be residents of Center City, an average-sized city with average problems and an average cost of living.As residents, some of you may be quite wealthy; some may be poor; some may be struggling in the middle. Each of you will have an effect on the lives of all the others, although you may not realize it.The major business in town are Acme Garments – A nationwide label for men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing – and Talo Plastics.

Who Am I? (fill out the worksheet)Introducing: John Daley – retired from Acme Garment factoryMarta Fernandez – Assembler at Acme GarmentLouise Sherman – buyer for a chain of clothing storesSusan Rogers – attorney in environmental affairs at Talo PlasticsBrad Cantrell – CEO of Acme Garments

What’s New (small group interaction)Introduce yourself to the group.Receive the headline news from the Center City Herald. While in character discuss these articles.How do you feel about the other characters?What is your characters sense of justice and fairness?Discuss the question on the bottom of the articles in your small group.

What is Unfair? (large Group discussion) What was it like being your character? How did it feel to be that person?What did you find out about the way things work in Center City?Did things seem fair or just to you?What did not seem fair and just? Why not?What structures or policies seemed to create or reinforce this unfairness?

What do we do about it?The parable of the Church picnic