NO ONE CAN DO IT ALONE

NO ONE CAN DO IT ALONE
Homily delivered at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Albany, NY
25 May 2025 - The Sixth Sunday of the Liturgical Year C

    Pope Leo’s very first words to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square rang out with a hope filled greeting: “To all people, everywhere, across all nations: peace be with you.”  In his inaugural homily last Sunday his words were more poignant. “In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest.” [1]
    How can we achieve true peace, justice and happiness for ourselves and others on this fragile planet? In the gospel narratives for the Easter season we hear about Jesus’s long farewell. His good-byes stitched together a remarkable weaving when he said peace be with you … I will give you eternal life … and love one another. Fr. Ken Himes suggested last weekend, “These are the basics of Christianity.” 
    In today’s gospel, Jesus reiterated that his peace will always remain with us. He encouraged his followers not to be afraid. And, to help them keep his Spirit alive, he would send an advocate to them, to counsel them on what to do next.
    That holy spirit is alive in many congregations, like this one at St. Vincent’s. Different ministries here are already working for reconciliation, justice and peace. Some members are finding ways to rally against cuts in federal spending that are hurting essential government agencies, stripping families of health care, food, housing assistance, child care and education. [2] 
    And, although we can surmise the driving forces resulting in a depletion of humanitarian aid around the world, we are obliged to ask: What further actions are needed to shatter the self-enriching agendas of some government leaders in our country? Are they at all informed by fundamental moral and religious values?        
    In a recent article philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah offered insights about how to survive these difficult times. He reminds us of the importance of happiness that once had ethical dimensions, an alignment with virtue[s], nature and God. Happiness was thought of as “something received rather than achieved.“ [3]
    Eventually, however, in developed countries like ours, the pursuit of happiness became a very personal goal. In general, happiness is still very much a private pursuit and … frequently has little to do with ethics, i.e., the well being of others, especially those who are strangers to us.
    According to Professor Appiah, polarities around socio-economic-political-environmental issues today have made it more difficult to achieve peace and happiness for all people. It is, after all, he wrote, “a shared work of making the world spacious enough to sustain the many ways free individuals choose to live, and sturdy enough to hold us all together.”
    In the Easter season we also focus on the Acts of the Apostles. In their early eagerness to win eternal life and steer clear of the authorities, Christians, wherever they lived, stuck together, shared their possessions, cared for their sick. They struggled with accepting others into the fold but eventually all were welcome into God’s house.
    That early Christian passion for diversity, inclusion and equality eventually diminished. Over time tyrannical emperors and authoritative bishops provided civic and religious indulgences for themselves as well as their prosperous and loyal supporters. Everyone else? They were destined to live on the fringes of society.
    A recent documentary on the legendary sociologist Robert Putnam [4] is called “Join or Die.” Putnam’s research dealt with the decades long decline in community connections here in the United States. He noticed fewer people were willing to get involved, to be a volunteer. Putnam stressed the importance of joining [faith based or secular associations] and why the fate of America depends on it.” [5] The film concludes  — democracy survives when people work together to provide and protect human rights. 
    In a Christian context Pope Leo agrees. While serving the impoverished people of Chiclayo, Peru, he stressed in his many homilies, “No one can be a Christian alone.” [6] For Pope Leo, finding happiness and peace for all the nations is something we can only achieve when we work together … for others.
    Jesus of Nazareth trusted that whoever believed in him would prompt them to embody his teachings. This action is not just about following church laws but by adopting a whole new way of living, practicing loving kindness toward everyone.
    For us there is no hierarchy of love as some might want us to believe. We do not rank our love for others. In theologian Nancy Koester’s words, “God’s saving mercies are not for a small group of insiders, but for all the peoples of [the] earth.” [7]
    Back to Pope Leo. His address to the cardinals after his election is timely for all of us. He said to them: “… I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me, as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel.” [8]
    That’s what he said to the cardinals. Last Sunday, the new Bishop of Rome was speaking to you and to me about what it takes to bring about peace and happiness for all nations. He said, “Together as one people, as brothers and sisters, let us walk towards God and love one another.” [9] No one can do it alone.

Notes

1. Pope Leo. Rome (May 18, 2025) https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/homilies/2025/documents/20250518-inizio-pontificato.html

2. Federal budget cuts will hurt most Americans but make rich people wealthier. Southern Poverty Law Center. https://www.splcenter.org/resources/stories/federal-budget-cuts-hurt-most-americans/

3. Kwame Anthony Appiah, “Our Idea of Happiness Has Gotten Shallow. Here’s How to Deepen It.” In New York Times, May 3, 2025

4. Robert D. Putnam. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. (Simon & Schuster) 2000.

​5. Davis, Rebecca and Pete. Producers of “Join or Die” (Abramorama) 2023. Available on Netflix.

6. Pope Leo (Robert Francis Prevost). God Loves Everyone. Trans. Mateo Valverde (Toronto: Huarruro Modern Classics) 2025 — A short collection of homilies.

7. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/sixth-sunday-of-easter-3/commentary-on-psalm-67-6

8. Pope Leo. Rome (May 9, 2025).  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263981/full-text-pope-leo-xiv-s-homily-at-mass-with-the-cardinal-electors-in-the-sistine-chapel

9. Ibid., Pope Leo. Rome (May 18, 2025)