This week, I've been thinking a lot about the importance of community in my life and the immense blessings this gift is for me. Last Sunday, I spent some time reflecting at the end of a very full day. Although the day had been busy, every moment was filled with beauty, exhibited in some way through experiences shared with others: fighting back tears at my students' First Communion, a much fuller-than-expected divine mercy service in the afternoon (especially considering the heavy rain), and celebrating Blessed John Paul II's beatification with a seemingly mismatched group of people that only Christ could bring together.
As I drove home Sunday night, I was struck by the realization that I have so many communities that support, guide, and pray for me. My parish community, my school community, my work community, my friends, my family... I could go on. I have come to realize that I am actually quite dependent on these communities. It's not that I couldn't exist without them - I am certain that I could - but it would be unreasonable for me to ignore the gift that has been given to me. I have a community of friends who, through the sharing of their own experiences, continually challenge me to look at my life through new eyes, seeking Christ.
Then I remembered the first reading from Sunday's Mass: Acts 2:42-47 (http://www.usccb.org/nab/050111.shtml). As I thought about what I had just experienced at our "beatification party" - a multi-generational group of unlikely people coming together to celebrate the triumph of Christ, asking questions about faith, the Church, and sharing experiences, laughing, eating, and praying together - I couldn't help but wonder if I'd caught a tiny glimpse of life in the early church.
Thank you, Lord, for the community You have given me! They don't make life easier, but they make it more real.
As I drove home Sunday night, I was struck by the realization that I have so many communities that support, guide, and pray for me. My parish community, my school community, my work community, my friends, my family... I could go on. I have come to realize that I am actually quite dependent on these communities. It's not that I couldn't exist without them - I am certain that I could - but it would be unreasonable for me to ignore the gift that has been given to me. I have a community of friends who, through the sharing of their own experiences, continually challenge me to look at my life through new eyes, seeking Christ.
Then I remembered the first reading from Sunday's Mass: Acts 2:42-47 (http://www.usccb.org/nab/050111.shtml). As I thought about what I had just experienced at our "beatification party" - a multi-generational group of unlikely people coming together to celebrate the triumph of Christ, asking questions about faith, the Church, and sharing experiences, laughing, eating, and praying together - I couldn't help but wonder if I'd caught a tiny glimpse of life in the early church.
Thank you, Lord, for the community You have given me! They don't make life easier, but they make it more real.
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