Social Justice in Luke
Identify a parable in Luke’s Gospel that expresses a message of social justice.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37).
(Or similar)
Name a historical or social issue that led to a new Catholic interpretation of social justice
The exploitation of workers during the Industrial Revolution led to the creation of Rerum Novarum.
(Or similar)
Identify one Catholic document that interprets Gospel themes of justice.
Rerum Novarum OR Fratelli Tutti
Identify one way the Church has responded to injustice in the modern world.
The Church has established agencies like Caritas to provide aid and advocate for justice globally.
(Or similar)
Identify a Gospel value in Luke that is echoed in later Church teachings.
The preferential option for the poor.
(Or similar)
Describe how Jesus’ proclamation in Luke 4:18–19 demonstrates concern for the poor and oppressed.
In Luke 4:18–19, Jesus reads from Isaiah and declares his mission to bring good news to the poor, release to captives, and freedom for the oppressed, showing a clear concern for justice and those on the margins of society.
Describe one historical factor that influenced the development of modern Catholic social teaching.
The rise of capitalism and poor working conditions in the 19th century prompted the Church to address social inequality through Rerum Novarum.
Describe how Fratelli Tutti uses the Good Samaritan to explore social responsibility.
Fratelli Tutti presents the Good Samaritan as a model for active compassion and solidarity, calling believers to see all people—especially the vulnerable—as neighbours deserving care and justice.
Describe how Mary MacKillop’s work addressed inequality through education or social outreach.
Mary MacKillop opened schools in rural and poor communities, providing education to children who were often excluded, thus addressing systemic poverty through access to learning.
Describe how Luke’s message of justice continues to influence Catholic social action.
Luke’s focus on care for the poor and inclusion of outcasts underpins Catholic efforts to serve the vulnerable, such as through aid organisations and justice advocacy.
Analyse how the parable of the Good Samaritan challenges traditional boundaries of justice and mercy.
The parable challenges social and religious norms by showing a Samaritan—a member of a despised group—as the true neighbour. It expands the idea of justice to include compassion and action toward anyone in need, not just one’s own group.
Analyse how changing historical conditions (e.g. industrialisation, globalisation) required the Church to revisit Gospel teachings on justice.
Industrialisation created widespread poverty and poor labour conditions, while globalisation brought new forms of exclusion. These conditions led the Church to revisit Gospel themes like concern for the poor and dignity of the person, leading to updated teachings like Fratelli Tutti that address global solidarity.
Analyse how either Rerum Novarum, Fratelli Tutti, or Mary MacKillop reinterprets Gospel teachings in light of contemporary social issues.
Rerum Novarum reinterprets Luke’s concern for the poor by addressing workers’ rights, calling for fair wages and the dignity of labour.
OR Mary MacKillop applied Gospel values by founding schools for the poor, advocating for justice through education.
OR Fratelli Tutti makes parallels between the Samaritan bridging cultural divides to assist a person in need and modern day barriers that prevent people assisting their global neighbours in need
Analyse how Catholic institutions or teachings were shaped by key developments in social justice teaching.
Social encyclicals like Rerum Novarum and Fratelli Tutti have influenced the creation of Catholic schools, hospitals, and charities focused on human dignity, care for the vulnerable, and the common good, shaping the Church’s mission in the modern world.
Analyse how effectively the Church connects Luke’s teachings to its modern efforts in promoting social justice.
The Church effectively connects Luke’s teachings through documents like Fratelli Tutti, which draw on the Good Samaritan to guide action on migration, poverty, and inequality, showing continuity between Scripture and contemporary justice efforts.