When someone as consequential as Pope Francis (formerly Jorge Mario Bergoglio) passes, it causes us all to pause for a moment. To take stock of where we are, of who we are, and what we stand for.
There’s a lot to review.
But in a news cycle dominated by stories about Pope Francis, one stood out. Yesterday in her newsletter Reframing America, Antonia Scatton relayed the story of an interviewer who had asked the Pope what to do when a panhandler asked for money, particularly if they might use that money to get drunk.
As Antonia tells it, Pope Francis responded by saying:
“Who are you to judge? What do you do when others aren’t watching, to cope with what is going on in your life? Not only should you help this person without judgment, you should take their hand, look them in the eye, and recognize your shared humanity.“
That phrase, that directive, that we should all recognize our shared humanity.
It stuck with me.
When I was a kid growing up hearing sermons every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM (or 8 AM if I was especially unlucky that week), the concept of being forged by fire was positively burned in my brain.
We were not only to cherish every single one of God‘s creations as being perfectly imperfect – after all, who were we to question His creative decisions? But we were also to recognize that the people who seemed to have especially difficult, tragic circumstances before them – maybe sickness or disability or financial problems – were chosen by God.
Not because they were weak.
But because they were capable of withstanding whatever problems befell them.
They were not being punished by God. They were not cursed.
They were simply meant to learn the lesson that the trial provided. And we, as members of their community, were there to lift them up, if need be.
It was a beautiful way to view the tribulations that life deals you. At least in my child’s eyes, there was no shame in having a hardship of some kind.
It was simply your turn.
You would be purified by the experience; forged by fire, you’d emerge stronger, your soul made softer and more beautiful. And as a congregation we’d all be there with you to witness your struggle. We’d share in the weight of the human condition, take some off your back.
To my child’s eye, at least, there was even a hint of holiness in the suffering. After all, with great pain you got closer to the roots of existence. You dug closer to the meaning of life, of your soul.
And because we each took on a piece of your suffering, of our shared humanity.
Somewhere between 1980 and today, we’ve seen a complete cultural overhaul of this concept. As the so-called “prosperity gospel” has taken hold, production and perfection have become hallmarks of Being Blessed.
Now, rather than it being those who are suffering the greatest who walk the closest to God, it’s the wealthy – the materially prosperous – who claim to be in His graces.
In 2025, wealth is holy; suffering is for suckers.
There is great societal cost to this focus on being productive, being prosperous, being physically perfect.
Because it means we’re denying our shared humanity, and the basic value proposition of the human condition.
RFK, Jr. illustrated this point from a different angle last week, when he offended millions of people by describing autistic people in terms of what he believes they cannot do. His comments were wildly offensive and I won’t repeat them here. But the response on social media was for autistic people (and many others) to point to their accomplishments. To show what they are capable of.
There is dignity in accomplishment, and I enjoyed seeing people trumpet their wins in life. We should celebrate one another more often.
But I also saw an underlying problem. Because listing our accomplishments suggests that we accept their faulty premise. The faulty premise is that our value is contingent. Contingent upon production – upon output – upon achievement – upon hustle.
My worth (and your worth, for that matter) is not based upon whether I can punch a clock. It’s not based upon the size of my bank account. It’s not based upon my physical stature, or how many children I (do or don’t) have, or my gender, or my zip code, or the color of my skin, or the god that I pray to. It’s not based upon whether I’m a citizen.
My worth (and your worth, for that matter) is unconditional.
It simply is.
We will all become disabled, if we are lucky enough to live that long.
We will all run out of money, if we are lucky enough to live that long.
We will all find a day when we can no longer work, if we are lucky enough to live that long.
Health, wealth, success – they’re all transient conditions. And your value as a person is not conditioned upon them.
That may be the primary lesson of life. It’s one that Pope Francis understood, but that far too many of our current American leaders have failed to grasp.
The question that is before us – and that is so helpfully highlighted by the broken men that lead this administration – is what do we believe humanity is for? How do we value one another?
Are we simply cogs in a wheel, intended for production – so that if broken or worn out we are rightly cast aside?
Or are we bright lights that are valuable in and of ourselves – for our unique contributions to our communities and our part in this shared humanity – no matter what our intellectual or physical capacities may be?
I know what my answer is.
It’s important to consider the question. Because as this administration tries to emphasize wealth and production – pushing through things like work requirements for people to be able to get the basic necessities of life – we need to be able to clap back with the moral authority that this moment demands.
Because make no mistake. It demands it.
Let’s get to work.
Actions for the Week of April 22, 2025
Friend, things may be heavy – but you can lighten that load by doing something small – a “small deed” – to bring about the world that you want to see. In doing so we tell the world, the universe, our leaders – and most importantly, ourselves – that we will not go quietly into that good night.
I call it Action Therapy.
That’s why in each Tuesday post I share a few “small things” – usually a Small Thing to Read, a Small Event to Attend, and a Small Call to Make or Action to Take. My intention here is to give you actions you can tuck into your week with ease – and know that you’re doing something today to make tomorrow better.
Join me in doing so. It matters.
Small Calls to Make & Actions to Take: AoCC Climate Justice Special Edition!
In honor of Earth Day, Jen Hofmann and the Americans of Conscience Checklist team have put together a really incredible list of climate justice actions. There are so many great actions here – some that can be completed in two minutes, and others that take a longer commitment. Don’t miss the “acts of gratitude” and good news” at the end.
Small Event(s) to Attend: Environmental Voter Project + Rural Democratic Leaders’ Conference
The Environmental Voter Project (EVP) identifies inactive environmentalists and transforms them into consistent voters. As you know, many eligible voters did not vote in the 2024 election, and that’s been a consistent theme. So motivating and turning out voters is crucial.
It being Earth Day and all, I think it’s especially relevant to share EVP’s event page, and point out a few upcoming events that you might want to join in. If you are ready to help turn out voters for some upcoming municipal elections in Texas and Nebraska, you can sign up for phone banks – some featuring special guest hosts like Jessica Craven and Piper Perabo! Here’s that event page: https://www.environmentalvoter.org/get-involved
And on Saturday April 26 (at 11am central) there will be a Rural Democratic Leaders’ Conference. Hosted by RuralOrganizing.org, this event will bring together rural civic leaders, rural organizers, rural influencers, and Rural Democrats to develop concrete strategies for opposing Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s take-over of our government and outline specific action steps we all can take at the local level to rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up. Register here.
Small Thing to Read: Judge Harvie Wilkinson’s Opinion
Last week, a conservative judge (a 1983 Reagan appointee who was often on short lists for SCOTUS) issued a 7-page opinion that is truly fantastic. Yes, I say that as a recovering lawyer so I understand my interest level may be higher than most. But this is an opinion that I think will be looked at for years.
It’s a blistering opinion that lays out in very clear terms what we’re facing. And because it’s written by a preeminent conservative judge, it’s got some added heft. Time.com has helpfully published the full opinion (without some of the citations that can make reading opinions annoying). Read that here:
https://time.com/7278774/judge-harvie-wilkinson-opinion-read-full-text-trump-abrego-garcia/
Thanks for reading, friend – I’m glad to see you here! You’re making a difference, I promise.
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