This school year, our Campus Ministry staff did something we never have before. For the first time, we invited eight of our student service leaders to return to campus early for a training session. Learning how the organizations we work with care for the poor and vulnerable in our community has been an educational and formative experience for these student leaders, and for the staff as well. Volunteering with these organizations puts into clear relief the responsibility we have to each other – especially those who are suffering most.
Yesterday, Dr. Linda Donaldson, a professor at the National Catholic School of Social Service at The Catholic University, led a discussion with our group about homelessness and Catholic Social Teaching. She explained that the first principle of Catholic Social Teaching is the dignity of the life of every human person. This is our basis, informed by our belief that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God. She explained that this principle relates closely to solidarity and the common good. In the story of Cain and Able, Cain asks, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” To which the response, Jesus teaches us, is a resounding “yes.” Hearing about our community partners, I am amazed at the dedication and passion with which they approach their jobs. They work tirelessly to create a better world not just for those they directly serve, but for all of us. That is what the principles of solidarity and the common good teach us: we are all in this together. Your well-being and flourishing is intricately interwoven with mine. It’s about building right relationship, as Dr. Donaldson summed it up.
AS John Paul II teaches, women have a special gift of doing just this – building right relationship, and thus, embodying the principles of solidarity and the common good. It is part of what John Paul II calls “the genius of women”:
“For in giving themselves to others each day women fulfill their deepest vocation. Perhaps more than men, women acknowledge the person, because they see persons with their hearts. They see them independently of various ideological or political systems. They see others in their greatness and limitations; they try to go out to them and help them.”
In a world where we are often encouraged to be assertive or aggressive to get what we want, where success is often measured by the power and resources you acquire, we cannot afford to squander this gift. John Paul II believed that women could bring great healing into the world – and the world desperately needs our gifts.
I’ve always loved athletics, and perhaps my favorite part is the team mentality. God is telling us that we are all on one big team, and if our teammates fall, we fall with them. Our brothers and sisters in Christ – these are our teammates. A sign at one of the places we volunteered this week read: TEAM: Together. Everyone. Accomplishes. More. We do not volunteer because the poor need help. We do it because we all need help. If her world is broken, so is mine. We are the body of Christ, and we need every member of that body in order to make our world whole.
Thanks for stopping by! For all our social media savvy readers, we encourage you to take the #walkwithFrancis pledge, in celebration of the Pope’s upcoming first visit to the United States! For more information, click here. Have a blessed day!