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OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2024 | DENVER CATHOLIC
" It's the
economy,
stupid."
That's what we've heard really
matters in our elections. Economic
growth and the consequent effects
on our standard of living. It's a dan-
gerous train of thought if you think
about it. Isn't the nation's economy
built upon people? Is economic
growth always good for people, or can
it mask our need for something more?
The Church reminds us that
people transcend the economy, for
economic goods exist to foster the
realization of the common good.
Secularism threatens the foundations
of society because, without God, we
lose sight of anything beyond imme-
diate prosperity. St. Paul teaches us
that "there is no authority except
from God" (Rom 13:1). Our own wills
are not the ultimate foundation of
justice and law, for there is a stan-
dard of truth and goodness beyond
ourselves to which we must answer.
Without a transcendent reference,
our laws become arbitrary expres-
sions of sheer power, inevitably lead-
ing to catastrophe.
T H E G OA L
Society exists so that we can pursue
the good together. The Catechism
quotes one of the most ancient Chris-
tian documents, The Epistle of Barnabas,
to lay out the impetus for societal com-
munion: "Do not live entirely isolated,
THE
REAL
GOAL
CATH O LIC SOCIAL TE ACH I N G
Human Dignity,
Local Community and
the Common Good
