Simplicity: The Principle of Solidarity

It wasn't until recently that I began to understand Catholic Social Teaching's principle of solidarity. Sure we encourage volunteers to conserve water and electricity by taking bucket showers as an act of solidarity with those who do not have running water, but what does that really mean? Clearly we are blessed with clean running water, aren't we supposed to use our blessings to our best ability while avoiding the temptation to indulge and abuse those blessings? So why give up the indoor shower so that we can live our lives similar to those who are not as fortunate?

So that we can build bridges, not walls. Solidarity encourages us to learn about others and to find the beauty (and hardships) in their way of life. This principle encourages us to simplify our lives so that we can embrace global community and stand beside the less fortunate. It calls us to focus on what we have in common, so that we can break down barriers and better understand one another. It calls upon a concern for world peace, global development, environment and international human rights while illuminating the fact that our decisions make us responsible to everyone, across all types of physical, social, and economic boundaries.

When I reflect upon solidarity, fasting comes to mind (when people abstain from food for a prolonged period of time as an intentional act). How is it that fasting would put me in a place that allows me to reflect and grow? Its because it allows us to simplify our minds, to open ourselves to others point of view and way of life. That simplicity and openness drives us to grow and to further live our lives as models of Christ.

So the challenge this week is to ask yourself, what are some acts of solidarity that you can do to better understand the lives of those in our global community? What are some barriers (or stereotypes) that you may have with others? How can you grow to overcome those barriers? How might this particular act of solidarity help with that?

Here's some more resources on solidarity for further reflection:
The United States Bishops call to global solidarity
Some notes on Solidarity from USCCB and papal documents