Human solidarity

Monday March 29, 2021

Human solidarity

“Where is your brother Abel ?” Genesis 4. 9

We may remember this remark of a French Prime Minister, under François Mitterrand : “We cannot bear all human miseries !” This formula, very controversial, in its time aroused many reactions, and if some said they were scandalized, many nodded discreetly, welcoming a certain lucidity, however tragic. While it is true that one cannot bear all the misfortunes of the earth, one should not necessarily decide that it is no longer possible to act. There are many people around us whom we should be concerned about, but from whom we move away because their problems, their ills frighten us. No doubt because they refer us to our own weaknesses and fears, those we want to forget or keep away. Sometimes we feel that we do not have the means or the skills to come to the aid of those around us who are suffering. So we don't even try. The abandonment is then obvious, consumed. However, the Word of God teaches us solidarity and if we are not always capable of love for all, we should at least have friendship for our loved ones who are also our brothers in humanity. Failure to come to the aid of those in need is not just selfishness, it is failure to assist anyone in danger. In the first pages of the Bible, human relationships are very quickly in great danger. God asks Cain : “Where is your brother Abel ?” Behind this terrible question, there are many more hidden : How did you listen to him ? How did you look at him ? Did you take it into account ? What place do you give it ? To do nothing is as guilty as to do wrong. Jesus gives a lead to follow : “I tell you the truth, whenever you have done this to one of these least of my brothers, you have done it to me” (Matthew 25 . 40).

Source (His Word for Today)