Solidarity
With the knowledge that we are all called to unity in Christ, we must reflect on our lives and see if
we are living up to the ideals of unity and following what Jesus taught us; he is the perfect leader.
What did he do? What did he say? How did he treat people? How did he call people to be their true
selves for the sake of his Kingdom? We have the keys to our Father's heavenly Kingdom. Do we use
them? With knowledge of God, we are called to follow Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the
Life.
Solidarity is our oneness with each other. We know we have dignity and identity, and we are called
to unity. True faith is transformative. Once we know and experience the love and mercy of God,
our hearts are transformed, and a faithful person lives a faithful life. We are called to be loving,
forgiving, and compassionate like Jesus.
In Jesus' time people who were sick or looked down upon in society were seen as sinners outside of
God's love and friendship. Holiness was thought to be achieved by adherence to church law. Those
who were outcasts were seen as being punished by God for their sin or the sin of their relatives.
The people of God wrongly kept the outcasts "in their place." Jesus showed us the right way to treat
others by always reaching out in compassion.
God is all good and all loving. People who are suffering are not being punished by God, as people
once thought and some may still to this day. God wants us to bring his message to all people so they
can know their real identity as his children and experience his love. Jesus went out and ministered
to the sick. He forgave sinners. He broke down the walls of rejection and brought everyone into
his love. He showed us that we need to expand our idea of kinship. We need to have solidarity with
those who suffer.
Who are those in our lives and in our world who are the persecuted, the suffering, the lost, the
lonely, the forgotten, and the judged? This is exactly who we are called to stand with in solidarity.
We need to open our hearts to the compassionate love of Christ and let it flow through us by the
Holy Spirit in thought, word, and deed.
Fr. Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit minister and author, recently wrote, "Jesus Christ jostled the purity code
of the shot callers of his day. He recognized that it was this code that kept us from kinship. The
desire for purity is the enemy of the Gospel.”
God's love is within us and in the good things around us. Let us live with open minds and open
hearts, ready to receive God's healing love and letting it pass through us to others. He calls us to be
his hands; he instructs us with the Word so we can share it with others. Lord, make us instruments
of your peace.
God, help us to seek Truth, and let your Truth transform our lives.
May you feel the love and mercy of God. May you know how dear you are to him and that you are
called to life in him. May you trust in his great love for you. May you be open to his call and the
wisdom of his love.
Grace be with you.
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