Solidarity

Romans 12:16

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.

John 15:12

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

Psalm 133:1

How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

Mark 12:28-31

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Question 332: How is the solidarity of Christians with other people expressed?

Christians are committed to just societal structures. Part of this is universal access to the material, intellectual, and spiritual goods of this world. Christians also make sure that the dignity of human work is respected, which includes a just wage. Handing on the faith is also an act of solidarity with all mankind.

Solidarity is the practical hallmark of a Christian. Practicing solidarity is not just a command of reason. Jesus Christ, our Lord, identified completely with the poor and the lowly (Mt 25:40). To refuse solidarity with them would be to reject Christ.

Question 102: How can solidarity be put into practice?

Solidarity is at the same time a social principle and a moral virtue (Compendium of Social Doctrine 193). As a principle of social order, it serves to overcome the "structures of sin" (from St. Pope John Paul II Encyclical Sollicitudo Rei Socialis [Social Care] 36) and create a "civilization of love" and consequently solidarity. As a moral virtue, solidarity means deliberate, practical support for the well-being of all people. Vague words of compassion do not help; we must act! "The principle of solidarity requires that men and women of our day cultivate a greater awareness that they are debtors of the society of which they have become part" (Compendium of Social Doctrine 195). People can do little by themselves; instead, they are dependent on what others, including their ancestors, have accomplished. As a result, we are obliged to be there for others, too, and to take future generations into consideration in our own actions and decisions.

• Read together Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan) and discuss.
• Development and Peace has a multitude of activities to raise awareness of conditions of peoples around the world. Click here to explore.
• If your school is not currently assisting a local organization, consider helping a charitable group such as The Mustard Seed, St. Vincent de Paul, Inn from the Cold, Feed the Hungry or Elizabeth House. If you are supporting one of these agencies, make the connection to Solidarity.
• Doctors Without Borders have excellent educational resources dealing with topics of refugees, disease, conflict and others. Click here to be redirected.
• Pope Francis TED Talk: Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone. Lesson plan to go along with talk.

Boundless Grace

God of all peoples and nations, to you no one is a stranger for your saving love knows no boundaries and your compassion extends to all. Heal the wounds that prejudice, competition and self-interest has inflicted upon us. Help us to look upon our neighbor with the boundless grace of your love remembering that it is Christ whom we serve in others. Though Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer by Michelle Hoogveld, District Chaplain

If you are interested in preparing a liturgy or staff meeting around this Catholic Social Teaching, please consider these songs:

1. Anthem (Tom Conry)

2. Gather the People (Daniel Schutte)

3. Many and One (Angrisano/Hart/Liles)

4. Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo/We Are the Body of Christ (Jaime Cortez)

5. There Is a Longing (Anne Quigley)

All titles are found in Breaking Bread 2019 and are permitted for reprint with One License. Click on the song title to listen to a sample. Songs researched by Andreas Berko, Consultant, Fine and Performing Arts.

Created by Nancy Krar, Secondary ELA Consultant, these posters are intended to create discussion around books and lessons in Catholic Social Teachings. The idea is to print the poster and then create a display of books around the theme or concept. Click the image to the left for other ideas.