Solidarité

THE violence that has killed over a hundred innocent people in France has also left millions the world over deeply wounded! As I continue to follow the news, I could not help but feel a tinge of bitterness and helplessness about the wave of terrorism sweeping the globe. It felt like 9/11 all over again! I could best only pray.

I recall how once the Prelate of Opus Dei, Javier Echevarría, before the plague of terrorism that was then common in Spain, exhorted us to learn how to pray and forgive. At one moment in that gathering, he let out a heartfelt cry that perhaps, also revealed what he was striving to apply to his own spiritual life: “But do you [and I] really ask our Lord for peace and to learn to forgive those responsible?!!!”

I was struck by this sincere exhortation, because it shattered the mold of solidarity that I had mistakenly understood and comfortably lived.

The recent sad events in France as well as in other parts of the world, remind us to re-examine how we live the virtue of solidarity. Solidarity is “a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1948)

Sometimes, before natural disasters and violent upheavals, it seems very easy to express or live the virtue of solidarity. We witness countless individuals and institutions immediately ‘appealing to some minutes of silence to remember the victims’ of certain atrocities or injustices. There are also numerous concerted material efforts attempting to promptly alleviate victims of typhoons, earthquakes, and wars.

But surely, the virtue of solidarity cannot be reduced to only physically or materially helping our unfortunate brethren. In fact, not everyone has a chance to be involved in these material and social projects. How else could we live solidarity, as in the present case of our brothers and sisters in France?

Naturally, it begins with our constant prayers! But we cannot forget that prayer is said best when it is backed by action. What kind of action? From this part of the world, the Philippines, we may not be able to send something more personal or heart-warming to the relatives of the victims. The most, I could imagine, would be to click on any hosting social networks that would electronically convey our condolences (together with a million others) to the victims in France.

Can we do something more?

I believe we can.

* * * * * *

“Father, is it alright for me not to play shooting video games?” A grade school boy asked me.

“What do you mean, Brad?” I asked.

“‘Coz I saw what happened in France, and I thought that by playing my game, I was like being a terrorist too.”

“Of course not, Brad. I don’t think you will ever be like them. But I think your sacrifice of not playing any violent games is a wonderful way to tell yourself and others that you are one with the French victims and their relatives.”

“Thanks, Father.”

* * * * * *

I believe this short and enlightening conversation is a wonderful expression of solidarity lived in the most personal and authentic level. It is an example of how to avoid an ‘artificial form of compassion’ and sincerely sharing in what our brothers and sisters the world over are suffering and enduring of the scourges of terrorism, slavery, prostitution, abortion, drugs, famine, and war.

We wouldn’t be consistent with living solidarity with France (or any place or people for that matter) if for example, after painting our profiles with the French national colors, we nonchalantly upload loud party and outing pictures a few minutes later. Or to join social networks condemning violent injustices and afterwards shift to watching a violent film or wasting hours playing Grand Theft Auto. Perhaps, they are just movies or games? True, but it reveals a lot about our inner conviction and attitudes. It shows how sensitive and refined we are to take upon ourselves what others are genuinely suffering. Solidarity becomes a form of prayer, but one that is not only said with our lips. It is a prayer united to a personal conviction that leads to our personal conversion.

Through these hidden but effective acts of solidarity, we are truly accompanying our suffering brothers and sisters throughout the world. And in some mysterious way, which we may never be aware of, they too — in their own violent trials — may be praying and offering it for you and even the very ones responsible for these acts of terrorism.