“We Need Each Other”

I enjoy reading about groupings of saints; holy people that knew each other and helped each other in fighting the good fight of faith. We read the other day about Mother Cabrini and Pope Leo XIII.  Most of us are  familiar with the lives of Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa…. talented and holy people that collaborated in changing the world for Christ. 

Today I was reading about Francis Xavier and  Ignatius of Loyola of Jesuit fame.  Ignatius warns Francis Xavier … “what is the use of winning the whole world if you lose your own soul”. He goes on to say, “tell men who are richer in knowledge than in the desire to make good use of it, how many souls are, through their neglect, denied the glory of heaven.” Woe, these are pretty strong words. Well, Ignatius won Francis’ confidence and  Francis went on to India, baptizing some 30,000 people before his death at 46. (ref. Magnificat, Nov. 14, 2023) These two founders of the Jesuits called each other on…. “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”.(Prov.27:17)

As followers of Christ we are called to help one another get through tough times. Sometimes it’s challenges of family life, the death of a loved one, job loss, discouragement and depression, sickness, or any of the many other challenges we face every day. Life is not easy and sometimes we trip and fall. We need each other. Left alone, we may not make it. St. Paul tells us, “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”(Galatians 6:2, NIV). 

The corporal and spiritual works of mercy give us a blueprint for helping one another thru the various trials of life….. some practical examples of how to “live out” loving God and our neighbor, of how to live out the words of 1Corinthians 13:4-7. Where would we be without the help of our brothers and sisters. All of us fall at times in our life and need someone there to help us, to pick us up. 

So, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us notice when others need help, and to offer that needed help. “No man left behind” is not just a motto of our armed forces, it’s a command of the Lord. And that is very good news.