In Bible and Life magazine a priest diocesan Justice and Peace Committee director gives the readers some of his thoughts on the situation in society.
Why do poor people take an interest in the rich? Many of the lower income classes, laborers, and the middle class are for lowering taxes, decrease in welfare spending, privatization of much in society, and relaxation of regulations, which often make the poor, poorer and the rich, richer. The writer is surprised at the support this receives in society from some of the poor. Isn't this acting against oneself in a harmful way?
There are many reasons for this situation. Korea was under a totalitarian regime for some years that controlled the press. But also although the rich and poor are in very different situations in society when it comes to desire it is the same. They both want more, they want to go higher, want recognition, and comfort, the basic desires are the same. This is understood by some politicians and used to incite the poor to imitate the rich. The poor are now in difficult straights but with effort, they can also be rich and consequently accept the situation in which they find themselves.
At the gambling table a person who has lost for some time if you bring up the proposal that in the future when one wins, half of the money is given to the loser. Would anybody accept the proposal? No, simply because the desire is to win all the money. Is this not the reason for not changing the rules we have made in society?
Then, should the poor be freed from all kinds of desires to be faithful to their own lives, free from the concerns of the rich? The writer thinks not. For in the first place this is not possible. We are all born to have desires, and ambitions, this is not only an attribute of the rich. This desire we have is a common motivator for our actions.
Desire is a value-neutral energy for action. The problem is what direction will it take. The direction will determine the rightness or wrongness of what is done. What one wants and what heights one desires is the problem, This is true of all our desires, what one desires will determine our personality and the value of what we desire. This is true of all. We are not to get rid of our desires but to direct our minds and hearts in the direction of proper desires.
What is meant by proper desires? Jesus gives us an answer in Matt. 6:19-21. "Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store-up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are."
St, Augustine says when our desires are headed toward heaven they are headed toward love (Caritas). This is directing ourselves to God, the greatest good. However, the opposite is going in the direction of cupidity (Cupiditas). It is said that human happiness or unhappiness depends on which of the two is chosen. True happiness comes from the eight Beatitudes Matt. 3-12.
We should all be working for the common good that benefits everyone. Desires should not be limited by our earthly situation alone but by right reason, the will of God that speaks to us through our consciences, moral law, and public opinion which wants the common good. Therefore, if we know how to yearn for justice even if we are poor, should we not all cooperate in policies that follow right reason and work together for the common good?
