The Common Good
Prayer to Care for Our Common Home
Father of all,
Creator and ruler of the universe,
You entrusted your world to us as a gift.
Help us to care for it and all people,
that we may live in right relationship—
with You,
with ourselves,
with one another,
and with creation.
Christ our Lord,
both divine and human,
You lived among us and died for our sins.
Help us to imitate your love for the human family
by recognizing that we are all connected —
to our brothers and sisters around the world,
to those in poverty impacted by environmental devastation,
and to future generations.
Holy Spirit,
giver of wisdom and love,
You breathe life in us and guide us.
Help us to live according to your vision,
stirring to action the hearts of all—
individuals and families,
communities of faith,
and civil and political leaders.
Triune God, help us to hear the cry of those in poverty,
and the cry of the earth,
so that we may together care for our common home.
Amen.
(Source: USCCB)
"THE COMMON GOOD"
"It is imperative that no one...indulge in a merely individualistic morality. The best way to fulfill one's obligations of justice and love is to contribute to the common good according to one's means and the needs of others, and also to promote and help public and private organizations devoted to bettering the conditions of life.”
Gaudium et Spes ("The Church in the Modern World"), Vatican II, 1965 , no. 30
How do you foster the “common good” in your family?
Another foundational principle of CTS is that society must seek to provide for the “common good.” In a society that stresses individualism or groupthink, “what’s in it for us,” striving for the “common good” is too easily forgotten or ignored.
As individuals or groups we may believe and act as if we are the center and the world revolves around us, rather than being centered on God and striving to do God’s will for the common good of society and its people. We can discern God’s will through creation, rational thought and reflection, revelation, Tradition, and the Spirit speaking in, with, and through our hearts.
The “common good” comprises “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and easily” (CCC, no. 1924). To pursue the common good is to work towards the greatest good for all persons, and not just the greatest good for the majority or a specific group of persons.
For example, imagine a sports team where the greatest good is for the team to thrive and win pursuant to the rules and while maintaining the integrity of the game. Imagine what happens to the team if the emphasis is solely on one’s individual performance or monetary gain to the exclusion of the other members of the team. Such a team will not thrive nor be successful.
It is the role of every society to defend and promote the common good of the society and its citizens. The “common good” consists of three essential elements: (1) the society must protect and respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person; (2) it seeks the social well-being and development of the society itself and makes accessible what is needed for its people to thrive such as food, clothing, shelter, education, work, healthcare, suitable information, the right to establish a family, to practice one’s faith, and so on; and (3) it promotes and sustains peace by providing for the stability and security of a just order, and by ensuring use of a morally accessible means to provide that security and the legitimate defense of the society and its people (CCC, nos. 1907-09).
However, we are also part of a larger community—one human family on earth in communion with all creation. We must also seek the “universal common good” whereby we strive to fulfill Jesus’ teachings of love and the “Golden Rule” to “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you” (Mt 7:12). It is for this reason that we assist refugees and migrants who are displaced from their home, assist those living in poverty in other nations, and care for our common planet.
VIDEOS
"The Common Good"
"The Common Good"
"Key Principles of Catholic Social Teaching"