Fratelli Tutti: A Call for Inclusive Love

Inclusive love transcends all barriers, as implied in the teaching of Fratelli Tutti. It shatters the chains that keep us separate; it builds bridges. Love creates one great family, where all of us can feel at home.  The spiritual stature of a person’s life is measured by love.  Love for others moves us to seek the best for their lives.  Love impels us towards universal communion. It calls for growth in openness. At a time when various forms of fundamentalist intolerance are damaging relationships between individuals, groups and peoples, we have to be committed to a love capable of welcoming differences. Our hearts expand as we step out of ourselves and embrace others. A love capable of transcending borders is the basis of social friendship, to be extended to all, especially to migrants. Many migrants are seeking opportunities for themselves and their families. Like the Samaritan who cared for the wounded man, even spending his own money and time, Jesus asks us to be available to those in need of our help, a sign of real solidarity, which means thinking and acting in terms of the needs of the global community. Forgiveness and reconciliation are central to inclusive love, which can overcome the challenges of racism and fragmentation, aggressive nationalism, uncaring globalism, local narcissism, limitless consumption, empty individualism, and cultural colonization.