Exploring Catholic Social Teaching

Handout F
The Need for Conversion
Activity #3
This activity is meant to help extend, deepen, or apply the learning that has occurred in this chapter.
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Activity Instructions
A Begin by asking the class if anyone has ever
been forced to volunteer their time for a cause
that they did not really believe in or care about,
for example for “service hours” requirements
or other objectives. Follow up by asking if their
hearts were truly in it — or, at least, if they would
have been more involved with the charitable endeavor
if they had personally chosen it. Answers
will vary, but students will likely answer that being
forced to volunteer did not produce the fruits
that would have come from their own freely chosen
actions.
B Explain that “forced charity” is a contradiction
of terms — love cannot be forced, it can only be
freely offered. God Himself grants us free will;
He loves us and wants eternal life for us, but He
does not force anyone to love Him! Of course,
this is NOT to say that there is no value in doing
charitable works out of obligation — students
should keep doing their service hours if they are
required! It is better to help the needy out of obligation
than not to help them. But enforced acts
of goodwill can never bring about true conversion
toward the good or a truly just society.
200 Exploring Catholic Social Teaching
Handout F
The Need for Conversion
Directions: Answer the questions and then read the Scripture verses that follow. Finally, answer the
refl ection question.
______/ 10 pts.
1 Have you ever followed a rule grudgingly, even though you disagreed with it? What happened? Did you
come to see wisdom in the rule? Or did you grow more resentful?
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2 Have you ever been required to do a charitable activity or volunteer for a cause you did not personally
believe in? Describe what happened.
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Proverbs 22:16
Oppressing the poor
for enrichment, giving
to the rich: both are
sheer loss.
Reflect
© Sophia Institute for Teachers
Proverbs 31:8–9
Open your mouth in behalf of
the mute, and for the rights of
the destitute;
Open your mouth, judge justly,
defend the needy and the
poor!
Micah 6:8
You have been told, O mortal,
what is good,
and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do justice and to love
goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
It is better to help the needy out of obligation than not to help them. That said, why can
enforced acts of charity never bring about a truly just society? What else is needed?
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C Conclude that as you have been learning for the
last three chapters, a society can only be just if it
is made up of just people. Laws, even if they are
good laws, are not enough for a truly peaceful
world. Have students reflect on the questions on
Handout F: The Need for Conversion and write
brief responses.
© Sophia Institute for Teachers
High School Chapter: Different Types of Justice
171