Entertaing Angels: The Dorothy Day Story

Question 11: Think about/ discuss these capsule summaries of Peter’s philosophy:

““You know what’s wrong with the world? People who act don’t think, and people who think, don’t act.”

“There is no sin in being rich. This is no sin in being poor. But there is a sin in having more than you need and not sharing with those who have less than they need…”

“We can always find God wherever we are. God is as close as the closet human being, especially the poor.”

What teachings of Christ support the last two statements?

In Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story, Peter Maurin plays a strong influence in Dorothy’s conversion. Upon the meeting of these two characters, Peter asserts “ you know what’s wrong with the world? People who act don’t think, and people who think, don’t act.” Paul criticizes society to Dorothy in saying that people with brains have no conviction to carry through their words. This conversation is, in short a challenge to Dorothy to make a change in society. As an idealistic young Dorothy desired to make her mark on the world; she would spend hours on end at the bar with her friends discussing their world ideals, but until Paul prompted her, she never had the courage to actually act on these opinions. Paul continues to discuss that there is no sin for being rich or poor, but rather for partaking in helping others if you live in excess. Paul concludes his philosophy with “ we can always find God wherever we are. God is as close as the closest human being, especially the poor.” These lines in many ways reflect the teachings of Christ. For example, Christ teaches humans to “love they neighbor” and the golden rule “treat others as you would like to be treated.” These two teachings indicate that God can be found in all humans, and therefore one should respect and love all people. Jesus also taught that when you help someone in need such as the poor, you are helping him as well because we all children of God. Some quotes from the Bible that echo Paul’s words are:

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” - John 15:12

"Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’" - Matthew 25:44-45