Christian Community

Happy Sunday, and Feast of Saint Edward!  Here’s a pre-blog-post challenge: try reading Romans 12 right now….  it's pretty short, you can do it!

Coffee hour was a wonderful time of fellowship this morning, and thanks to Father Graham for joining us, too! A number of people commented to me on (1) both their gratefulness for coffee hour (I reply: thanks TO YOU!), and (2) how well our protestant friends have mastered the concept of Christian fellowship… something that Catholics are still working on.

This is true! And who doesn’t need Christian fellowship? In our fast-paced lives which zip in and out of the secular world, it can be easy to lose focus on our Christian vocations, unless we have faithful friends to call us back to a prayer life with God.

In this respect, Christian fellowship can serve two great purposes:

1. Evangelizing via community and security: Much like a family who supports, forgives, and patiently allows for mistakes, discernment, and growth – a sincere Christian community can provide this necessity within our faith lives. A Christian fellowship should have an element of security which recognizes the sinful nature of man, yet welcomes each new member with grace and dignity. Knowing that we are loved regardless of our mistakes is important in coming to love the Lord. In line with Pope Francis’ recent challenges to Catholics, our Christian communities should be more concerned with recognizing each person as a sinner coming to Christ, and not concerned with just exactly which sins each individual struggles. The strength and security of a good Christian fellowship can provide this loving direction without the innate insecurities of a “Pharisee.”  It is in offering others this type of love that the Holy Spirit can call people to a higher dignity, true self-sacrifice, and sincere moral choices.

2. Challenge via example and prayer: In a healthy and diverse Christian community, we may also see many different examples of ways in which one can find Christ, draw closer to Him, create various devotions of prayer and study, and embody Christian life in daily life. We each see different models that speak to our hearts. We each need different challenges at different times our lives of faith.  A secure Christian community can recognize and provide these different models for Christian life within the various gifts of its members. Faith is both an act and a journey: and we can each find encouragement on our individual journeys via others in a Christian community.

“May the Lord always be with you, and may you always be with Him.”

-from the Blessing of Saint Clare-

Need more inspiration? See the great article on pages 13-17 of Franciscan Way Magazine, about 11 ways to build Christian community.