Lent, Love, and the Common Good

Writen by Catherine Flanagan

As we put 2020 in the rearview mirror and enter into Lent this year, the idea of the common good is foremost in my mind. How in this time of continued pandemic, unrest, and inequity can I work for or contribute to the common good? And how does this relate to the work of Solidarity Bridge and the season of Lent?

The idea of the common good is central to Catholic Social Teaching. It recognizes the interconnectedness of all people and that the good of each person is connected to the good of all. It affirms that human beings can only thrive in the context of community. As such, we are each responsible to contribute to the common good so that all human life can flourish. This is especially crucial in light of a pandemic that is threatening health, lives, and livelihoods across the globe—and disproportionately impacting those who were already most vulnerable.

Pope Francis suggests love as a means towards the common good, “A virus that does not recognize barriers, borders or cultural or political distinctions must be faced with a love without barriers, borders or distinctions.” Furthermore, he said, “this love can generate social structures that encourage us to share rather than to compete, that allows us to include the most vulnerable and not to cast them aside, that help us to express the best in our human nature and not the worst. In fact, when we love and generate creativity, trust and solidarity, it is then that concrete initiatives emerge for the common good. And this is valid at both the level of the smallest and largest communities, as well as at the international level.”

But what does this mean for you and me in a time of physical distance? What are concrete ways we can manifest this love and promote the common good? Two traditional elements of Lent can offer some answers: almsgiving and prayer.

ALMSGIVING

Almsgiving is one of the three traditional Lenten practices to prepare us to meet the Risen Lord at Easter, along with fasting and prayer. Almsgiving is simply the giving of resources, be it our time, our skills, or our money to those most in need. We can show the love that Pope Francis encourages through almsgiving to support the mission of Solidarity Bridge, which promotes the common good by advancing equitable access to essential healthcare.  

Solidarity Bridge believes that all human beings deserve to have the conditions necessary for health and well-being. And, in this time of crisis, we are working with our partners to focus on concrete solutions that help our patients access the care they need. Today, the need in Bolivia is tremendous. The healthcare system is at risk of being overwhelmed amid a resurgence of cases heavily impacting the medical community. Bolivia has one of the highest case fatality rates for COVID-19 in the world, hospitals are overrun and medical personnel are falling to the disease. Despite these incredible challenges, our partners at Puente de Solidaridad are working tirelessly to find new and creative ways to deliver hope along with access to healthcare to patients in their community. 

This Lent, when we direct our almsgiving to this work, we join our partners in embodying these words from Pope Benedict, “The more we strive to secure a common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbors, the more effectively we love them.” 

PRAYER

We can also demonstrate this love and solidarity through prayer. For although we are compelled to stay physically apart from our Bolivian friends, we can draw close and unite together through the gift of prayer. I invite you to join me in this prayer throughout the Lenten season:

Father, your truth is made known in your Word.  
Guide us to seek the truth of the human person.  
Teach us the way to love because you are Love.  

Jesus, you embody Love and Truth. 
Help us to recognize your face in the poor.  
Enable us to live out our vocation to bring love and justice to your people.  

Holy Spirit, you inspire us to transform our world.  
Empower us to seek the common good for all persons.  
Give us a spirit of solidarity and make us one human family. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. 

-Pope Benedict XVI

In the face of so many challenges, worries, and fears, I plan to use this Lenten time of renewal and reflection to pray for and work toward the common good. With Easter on the horizon, and an end to the pandemic in sight, we have reason to hope and to persevere. I invite you to join me in supporting our Bolivian brothers and sisters in love through almsgiving and prayer. Together, we can transform our world!