EDGE: March 22

Global Family & Solidarity:  Loving our Neighbor – When the world is in  crisis

OBJECTIVE: To discover the call to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters all around the world.

OVERVIEW: In the book of Genesis, Cain becomes jealous of how God treats Abel and plots to kill his brother.  After carrying out this horrific deed, God comes to Cain and asks him where Abel is.  Cain’s response:  “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” (4: 9).

This question is at the heart of the Christian virtue of solidarity.  Through solidarity, we understand that we belong to one human family.  St. Paul taught that, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Corinthians 12: 12).  This is affirmed in the Catechism, “‘This law of human solidarity and charity,’ without excluding the rich variety of persons, cultures and peoples, assures us that all men are truly brethren” (336).

Although our world has become smaller because of the advances of technology, we are still tempted to turn inward and isolate ourselves.  However, solidarity means that we must understand how to love our neighbor, but to also learn that this has a global dimension. Solidarity begins with compassion, and extends to us taking action to join with those who are suffering.  The virtue of solidarity continues to grow when we continue to engage and commit ourselves to stay involved for the long term.

Through compassion we may reach out to help those in need; through solidarity, we commit to being in relationship with others.  The normal human response is to come in and “fix” someone’s situation that is in need.  Solidarity calls us to listen before taking action and include those in need in the solution.  It is not about imposing a set of ways to make the situation better; it is about joining with our neighbor to help them to be a part of the solution.

Through solidarity, we also come to understand that all humans are interconnected and are interdependent upon one another.  Nothing I do as an individual affects only me.  A great example of this is what the Church says about what happens when we sin.  When we sin, we do not simply hurt ourselves, but rather we cause injury to our family, friends, community, and we cause division in our relationship with God.  We may not be aware of all of thse effects, but indeed they are there.  Therefore, we go before the priest, a representative of the community, and confess our sins.  Additionally, when others suffer, no matter where in the world, we too suffer.  Distance may lessen the effect of the suffering that we feel, but we are still effected.  “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together” (1 Corinthians 12: 26).  John Paul II stated in the document Solicitudo Rei Socialis that:

Solidarity…is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far.  On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say, to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all (#39).

How can we respond in solidarity to those in crisis?  First, we remember that we are not helpless – no matter the situation (Psalm 33: 20).  Second, we allow our hearts to be moved with compassion for those suffering.  Third, we pray (1 Timothy 2: 1-5).  Fourth, we enter into relationship with our neighbor in crisis and listen to his/her needs.  Fifth, we join together as brothers and sisters and seek solutions.

Summary Challenge (Points to Remember):

1.  Solidarity is about responding to those in need and making a decision to be in relationship with them.

2.  We are not called to simply fix someone’s problems, but rather to listen to what their needs are and help them through their struggle.

3.  Solidarity is not about a quick fix, but rather about long-term solutions for those who are in crisis.

4.  Through our example and our witness, we help bring the hope and light of Christ to others.

Philippians 2: 1-5

“If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.  Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those of others.  Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus.”