Readings
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15
Hebrews 5:7-9
John 12:20-33
Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
― John 12:24
The need to create hope and reap solidarity in our lives
By Marina Bonnin, Youth Ambassador in Ontario
The 5th Sunday of Lent is dedicated to solidarity. It offers us an opportunity to reflect on the importance of being committed to solidarity. The theme of Development and Peace — Caritas Canada’s Share Lent campaign this year, Create Hope: Reaping our Rights, is reminiscent of the allegory in the Gospel of John (12:24) of the grain of wheat that falls into the earth.
That grain symbolizes Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. The allegory teaches us about death and rebirth, emphasizing that life emerges from the generosity of self-giving. This verse reminds us that positive change can come from sacrifice and altruistic gestures. This year, we are called to sow seeds of justice and dignity to support the rights of small farmers and peasants, helping to create an environment in which they can thrive and ensure bountiful harvests for their communities.
We are invited to reflect on how we respond to God’s calls in our daily lives. Solidarity is an invitation to act on behalf of those most in need, to give of our time, our resources and our love. This can be done through everyday gestures, small acts that can help weave the threads of a more caring and supportive community. Cultivating solidarity means helping build a community everyone’s rights are respected, guaranteed and protected. It is an act of recognition of the inherent dignity of every human being, reflecting our collective responsibility towards social justice.
In a world where challenges sometimes seem insurmountable, and which is marked by division and individualism, solidarity shines like a beacon of hope that can guide us through our lives. It is vital that our commitment goes beyond mere words and takes the form of meaningful actions in our daily lives. Let every gesture of compassion, however modest, be a vibrant testimony to our love for our neighbour and our deep desire to build a better world for us all.
By donating to Development and Peace — Caritas Canada, we can give concrete expression to our commitment by actively participating in building a more just and loving world. It is through such actions that we can truly embody the words of the Gospel and respond to God’s call to act on behalf of the most vulnerable. Solidarity leads us along the path of humanity, reminding us that our true strength lies in our ability to support one another. We are all united by divine creation. Our every act of charity and kindness helps build the Kingdom of God on Earth.
This Solidarity Sunday, we are invited to sow seeds of compassion and solidarity to support vulnerable communities around the world. Like the grain of wheat that produces an abundant harvest, our commitment to development and peace can transform lives and foster the flourishing of the communities we support.
During this Lenten season, I hope that the solidarity that creates hope will continue shining in your hearts and radiating in your lives, lighting the way to a future of compassion, solidarity and fraternity.
