John Leree B.

Coralde THY3 11/28/19

2ChEA PETA

Reflection Paper on Mater et Magistra

Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher) is one of the most influential encyclicals made
by John XXIII published on May 15,1961. The encyclical was published around the height of the
cold war between USA and USSR where the two nations battled for their respective ideologies
(capitalism and socialism) as well as who gets to claim to be the leading nation to develop
scientific and technological advancements. Their battle brought about the most Arms Race, Space
Race, and advanced Military Technology which impacted millions of lives (“Cold War,” n.d.).
Mater et Magistra speaks about the disparity of the rich and poor countries which was caused
by the said cold war. It speaks about how Nations are interdependent and need to cooperate in
order to avoid economic imbalance which poses a threat to peace. John XXIII expressed the
importance giving focus of the agricultural sector of the country as it embraces the common good
and economic development of the country itself. He also discussed the principle of socialization
in which institutions should distribute basic services to all citizens as every person deserves to
get their basic necessities regardless of their social condition – as it a basic fundamental right
(“Mater et Magistra,” n.d.). This is also related to the responsibility of wealthy nations that is to
cooperate with one another to improve those who are less fortunate. However, personally, his
emphasis on family farms and cooperatives are the most important. He discussed that
cooperatives are essential to the empowerment of the workers and enhancement of the balance
within the economy as this support from the state is needed for the growth of the agricultural
sector specifically the family farms – the basic unit of an agriculture-based economy. For this, the
encyclical has been a part of the sociial techings of the Church.
Evidently, the Six themes of the Catholic Social Teachings are seen in the Mater et
Magistra. The most prevalent ones are the Common Good and Solidarity in which it is seen at all
of the themes of the encyclical. As per Romans 12:15, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not
be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” Both
speak about that all members of the community/country should strive to develop and improve
the social condition as well as the overall experience on life of every human person. The Dignity
of the Human Person is observed where John XXIII talked about the principle of socialization as it
describes the fundamental right of every human being to live comfortably with our basic
necessities as we were created in the image of the divine being. The concept of Subsidiarity and
Participation as well as the Preferential Option for the Poor are seen throughout the themes of
the encyclical’s message. However, both are more evident in where the family farms and
cooperatives are discussed in which the state actively supports its most vulnerable members as
God asks us to “encourage the disheartened, help the weak.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Although
the Care for the Common Home is not discussed directly, it is expressed indirectly as an added
benefit of addressing the disparity of the rich and the poor. The improvement of the agricultural
sector – or the lives of the poor in general - brings about the continuous maintenance and
development of the environment of the community/country.
 Although the encyclical has been influential ever since it was published, the problems
then are still evident to this day. The disparity of the rich and poor nations has diminished but is
still prevalent. Economic imbalances are still observed where some countries are poorer than
others, resources are skewed to the rich and limited for the poor. The struggles of scientific and
technological development are also prevalent but diminished as more and more are switching to
sustainable and eco-friendly discoveries. However, a problem – no matter how small – is still a
problem. In that case, it must be addressed to the extent of how severe it could be – a total
economic collapse. An economic collapse is descrbied to be the severe version of a series of
economic contraction, depression or recession that can last years depending on the
circumstances, a prime example of this was The Great Depression of USA (Chen, J., 2019). This
brings the importance of Meter et Magistra as it calls us to act according to the six themes of
Catholic Social Teaching in the primary context of importance of economic balance. It reminds us
to not forget to inlcude all – living and non-living things – in our endeavour to improve human
life, may that be the advancement of technology and science or the enhancement of economic
power. With that said, the teachings of this encyclical must be continued.
In order to do that, the six themes of the Catholic Social Teachings must be lived within
every human person in the world. As a Thomasian, I can hope to live these teachings by
constantly applying them in my everyday life. It is by practice and application can concepts and
theories become real. As simple as buying food to as complex as creating products from my future
line of work both with sustainability in mind, I can live to be an ideal Thomasian graduate in
accordance to the social teachings of the church.

References:
1 Tessalonians 5:14
Chen, J. (2019). Economic Collapse. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/
terms/e/economic-collapse.asp
“Cold War.” (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war
“Mater et Magistra.” (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cacatholic.org/teachings/catholic-
social-teaching/social-encyclicals/mater-et-magistra-mother-and-teacher
Romans 12:15