Why do we seek solidarity? What underlying thirst draws us to crave such a thing?
"Love, what is this magical thing,
that I can experience,
but never replicate,
that I can give,
but never repay,
that has me feeling indebted,
but all the while knowing I can never reimburse,
love is only love if it is unconditional."
There is a thing called solidarity that would have us believe it is possible for a mere human to not only be faithful, but also to be unified with his fellow man. Where do we seek this; in the workplace, in social clubs, and most evidently in humanitarian efforts. It is, we say, the reason that we gather together to work toward a goal. It is above all the resounding call that casts in us a vision of the ultimate cause. Perhaps, just perhaps, this group will succeed at solidarity and be that magic calling that we have dreamed of being part of. Solidarity is also, in the end, the reason we abandon our hopes, and our friends. Has any association actually achieved it? Solidarity is dead.
I propose that every cause we have ever stood up for in the name of solidarity would be better won with love. What is solidarity if we do not unconditionally love our fellowman. What is shallow unity without love, but empty promises? Is not conditional love, by definition, the opposite of love?
- Neo-Realist
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
- Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ
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