13 ... for it is God who works in you to will and to act to fulfill his good purpose.
Building a culture of solidarity is challenging. Is it paradoxical that the world’s spirit impacts our natural desire to help others selflessly?
Deep inside, everyone feels a longing to connect with others. Each individual finds purpose in giving themselves to others.
35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20: 35, New International Version NIV).
Everyone naturally tends to acquire and keep more. It’s normal for people to earn what they need through talents and efforts. However, an insatiable craving for possessions can hinder genuine connection with our Creator and others.
10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6: 10 NIV).
1) Exploiting others, 2) disregarding our brothers’ and sisters’ suffering, and 3) breaking core moral principles are outcomes driven by the thirst for selfish gain.
The relentless pursuit of profit without regard for the common good has concentrated resources in the hands of a few, while many others continue to struggle with poverty and neglect.
Our goal is to genuinely improve the living conditions for everyone. When we do this, we can create an international order rooted in justice and solidarity that benefits all.
I call on believers to follow Jesus Christ, true God and man, who, in obedience to the Father, emptied himself (Philippians 2:6) and selflessly gave himself to us in love, even unto death on a cross.
The love of God filling our hearts should motivate and change our identity and actions. Offering ourselves to others is a gift that comes from God’s grace.
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2: 13 NIV).
Excerpted from The Message of His Holiness, John Paul II,
For Lent 2003, The Vatican, 7 January 2003.
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