By Michael Sims, Th.D.
In a world characterized by divisions, inequality and polarization, the theme of “radical solidarity” put forward by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for this Respect Life Month emerges as a powerful and transformative principle rooted in the Christian faith. This solidarity is not a mere passive sympathy but a call to action, deeply ingrained in the teachings of Christ and integral to the consistent life ethic, that is, that life, in all of its beauty and brokenness, is sacred “from womb to tomb.”
How might the life and teachings of Jesus Christ serve as the foundational example of radical solidarity? The late Dominican priest and theologian Albert Nolan aptly defined this term in his book, “Jesus before Christianity,” where he highlighted the radical nature of God’s incarnate love through the earthly ministry of Jesus. His words and actions stood in opposition to the sin-soaked social, political and economic structures that diminished one’s nature as a child of God. Nolan notes that Jesus consistently reached out to those on the margins of society, healing the sick, casting out demons, dining with sinners and calling all to repentance and a “new life.” There are many profound examples of radical solidarity in the Gospels that can help deepen and broaden one’s understanding of this concept. Two such examples are the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, Chapters 5-7).
In Luke, Jesus illustrates the principle of radical solidarity. When asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Recall, too, the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:5-30).
The Samaritan was often seen as an outsider. The longstanding feud between the Jews and Samaritans goes back to the times of the patriarchs, the era of Jacob and Joseph. Separated by war, intermarriage, culture and customs, enmity filled the hearts of once former kinspeople. Yet Jesus shares an account of how a Samaritan selflessly cares for a wounded traveler, where a priest and Levite, beholden to code and tradition, did not intervene. Yet, the Samaritan transcends cultural and social barriers. In the words of Albert Nolan, it is only when, like the good Samaritan, “we discover our common humanity, that we shall begin to experience what Jesus experienced.”
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes the importance of peacemaking, mercy and nonviolence. Consider Matthew 5:39, “But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.” Here, nonviolence is a matter of spiritual caretaking as well as a counter to the physical harm inflicted by others. It is a nonnegotiable of faith for entering the kingdom: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45) These teachings underline the Christian duty to stand in solidarity with those in need.
In the July 14, 2014, issue of the National Catholic Reporter, an understanding of what Catholics believe to be the “consistent life ethic” was defined as the following: “[B]ecause the Church is bound by sacred tradition to the proposition that all human beings, without any exception whatsoever, are made in the image and likeness of God and that Jesus Christ died for all human beings, without any exception whatsoever. Therefore, each human person – without any exception whatsoever – is sacred and is the only creature that God wills for its own sake.”
Here, then, are four areas to consider that are at the heart of what is meant by radical solidarity for this Respect Life Month.
1. Protecting the Unborn: Radical solidarity extends to the unborn, advocating for the rights and well-being of unborn children. This perspective emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of abortion, such as poverty and lack of support for expectant mothers.
2. Opposition to Capital Punishment: A consistent life ethic opposes the death penalty, seeing it as a violation of the sanctity of human life. Radical solidarity calls Christians to advocate for restorative justice and alternatives to capital punishment.
3. Opposition to War: In the context of international conflicts, radical solidarity promotes peaceful solutions and opposes war, viewing it as a failure to uphold the dignity of human life, especially of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
4. Support for Refugees and Migrants: In a world marked by displacement and migration, radical solidarity demands compassion and assistance for refugees and migrants, recognizing their humanity and the hardships they endure.
To conclude, radical solidarity stands at the heart of the Christian faith and serves as a guiding principle for consistent life ethics. It challenges Christians to move beyond their comfort zones, reach out to the marginalized and actively work for justice and equality. By embracing this concept, Christians can demonstrate the transformative power of their faith and contribute to building a more just and compassionate world where the dignity of every human being is upheld.
Michael Sims, Th.D., is the director of the Office of Life & Justice Ministries for the Diocese of Camden.
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