SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY OF JESUS

(OPTION FOR THE POOR)

1.He challenged oppressive religious
authorities.
2.He called in question the assumption of the
political rulers (Pilate and Herod) that their
power entitled them to impose their will on
others.
3.By word and example he proclaimed that to
be open to God involves being willing to
give up ones wealth and share it with the
poor; he roundly condemned the rich who
were unwilling to do so.
4.He had friendly relationships with tax
collectors and prostitutes; though these
were not economically poor they were poor
in the sense of being the social and religious
outcasts of his society.
5.He refused to abide by traditions which led
respectable Jewish men to despise or hold
aloof from certain categories of people e.g.
Samaritans and women.
6.He insisted that when his own followers
exercised authority they should see
themselves as servants rather than lords.