Common Good

1 Corinthians 12:7

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Philippians 2:3-5

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

Question 327: How can the common good be promoted?

The common good follows wherever the fundamental rights of the person are respected and men can freely develop their intellectual and religious potential. The common good implies that men can live in society with freedom, peace, and security. In an age of globalization, the common good must also acquire a worldwide scope and allow for the rights and duties of all mankind.

Question 88: How does the common good come about?

Every human being and every social group has proper interest that are more or less justified. To desire the 'common good' means to be capable of thinking beyond one's own needs. We must be interested in the good of all, even of people nobody thinks about because they have no voice and no power. The goods of the earth are there for everyone. And if each person thinks only of himself, then coexistence becomes a war of all against all. The common good, however, consists not only of the material or external good of all human beings; it also includes the comprehensive good of the human being. Therefore concern about the spiritual good is part of the common good, too. No aspect of human existence can be left out of consideration.

• Access to clean drinking water is considered a common good. Development and Peace have many activities around raising awareness and taking action on this important cause. Click here.
• "The demands of the common good… concern above all the commitment to peace..." (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 166) Any initiative at your school that promotes peace can be linked to the common good.
• For younger grades, walk through this activity from Caritas Australia.
• Watch this video Bishop Barron on Pope Benedict's "Caritas in Veritate" (Love in Truth)

One Human Family

Lord God, created in your image, all people of the earth form one human family. Open our eyes to your presence in each person and increase our love for one another that we may work for the common good of all and of each individual. May we live in right relationship with others and be always ready to make sacrifices for their good. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer by Michelle Hoogveld, District Chaplain

If you are interested in preparing a liturgy or staff meeting around this Catholic Social Teaching, please consider these songs:

1. Bread of Life (Bobby Fisher)

2. Companions on the Journey (Carey Landry)

3. Let There Be Peace on Earth (Miller/Jackson)

4. One Bread, One Body (John Foley)

5. They’ll Know We Are Christians (ST. BRENDAN’S/Scholtes)

All titles are found in Breaking Bread 2019 and are permitted for reprint with One License. Click on the song title to listen to a sample. Songs researched by Andreas Berko, Consultant, Fine and Performing Arts.

Created by Nancy Krar, Secondary ELA Consultant, these posters are intended to create discussion around books and lessons in Catholic Social Teachings. The idea is to print the poster and then create a display of books around the theme or concept. Click the image to the left for other ideas.