Two Steps
- MPadilla
- Aug 31, 2025
- 3 min read
Below is the 31st in the August Catholic Social Teaching series: Two Steps
Doing Catholic Social Justice is a Two Step affair. First step: hands-on immediate relief. Second step: seeking to root out the causes of injustice.
Teresita Scully, MTS
My personal belief, and I am pretty sure that many will agree with me, that the concept of “Two Feet of Love” was one of the best yet to explain the Church’s teaching on social justice.
Catholic disciples on mission are called to put Two Feet of Love in Action!
“Catholic disciples on mission are called to put Two Feet of Love in Action! This foundational tool describes two distinct, but complementary, ways we can put the Gospel in action in response to God's love: social justice (addressing systemic, root causes of problems that affect many people) and charitable works (addressing immediate needs and providing emergency assistance).”
“We can sometimes have a tendency to view service projects as isolated events that start upon arrival at the service site and end upon exit. This tendency can mean a missed opportunity to make service truly transformational for both those who serve and for those served. Interested in how to make service transformational? There’s a tried and true process for service called Act, Reflect, Transform that can help you make the most of service!”
““Act” refers to the charitable works we perform through service projects. When planning a service project, here are some things to think about. The ideal service project will provide an opportunity for face-to-face interaction with members of the human family in need.:
“... choose a service project that leads to the empowerment of those served, with an emphasis on doing with and walking alongside instead of doing for …”
“ the service project should include structured opportunities for being in addition to doing …”
Reflect: “Many people have the mistaken impression that service ends after leaving the service site. This is far from the truth! Failing to follow up with reflection after service is one of the most common lost opportunities in service.”
“… Prayer is essential for many reasons, the most obvious of which is because we believe that God will be able to make a difference in the lives of those served….”
Transform: “The third step of the model is “Transform.” Interaction with the vulnerable through service followed by new questions and learning during reflection must lead to work to transform all of society.”
“The ideal service project will be paired with opportunities for advocacy and efforts to transform unjust structures.”
“It is undoubtedly an act of love, the work of mercy by which one responds here and now to a real and impelling need of one's neighbor, but it is an equally indispensable act of love to strive to organize and structure society so that one's neighbor will not find himself in poverty”
“An essential distinction: … Charitable works such as those performed by young people during service help individuals meet their immediate needs. The second “foot” of social action, “social justice,” aims to correct long-term problems in communities. Advocating for just public policies and becoming involved in community self-help projects are examples of social justice.”
I encourage you to watch the video here
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