Solidarity and Charity

As i prepare for this mission trip it is important for me to really think through some major concepts that are contained in the "mission" of a missionary. The first concept is solidarity and charity, I want to monologue about this for a bit because as you may be thinking about being part of the mission you might be thinking that you are being charitable.  I hope to change the conventional thinking about this topic.

It is my understanding that solidarity, in the original sense of that word, must replace charity as the appropriate Christian behavior-ethical behavior- in our world today.  This idea implies a significant paradigm shift for Christian behavior for there is an essential difference between solidarity and charity.  Charity, the word used most often when talking about love of neighbor, has been implemented mainly through a one-sided giving, a donation, almost always, of what we have in abundance.  Obviously that is not all that charity means, but in general, this how it is understood and used.  I am not saying that giving is not an appropriate, even a necessary way of loving.   I do believe, however, that giving is an ethical behavior today only if it is understood and carried out within the context of solidarity.

This paradigm shift I am proposing calls for solidarity as the appropriate present- day expression of the gospel mandate that we love our neighbor.  This commandment, which encapsulates the gospel message, is the goal of Christianity.  I believe salvation depends on love of neighbor, and because love of neighbor today should be expressed through solidarity, solidarity can and should be considered the most essential part of salvation.

Thanks for reading!