Dear Friends,
Disciples of Jesus belong to a church, to a community of believers. There are those who say that they are Christians, but do not ever come to church. To them, I say that they need to go back and read and study about this person they say they follow because they are missing an essential piece of what he taught. Jesus formed a community, he did not form individuals. He clearly creates a church, not simply a belief system. His message was all about relationship, not some intellectual assent to a grouping of core teachings. Being a Christian means being a member of a church. You may not always agree and you may not like all the members, but there is no escaping being a part of a church if you choose to follow Jesus.
In Romans, St. Paul teaches us that “in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to the others.” Jesus says that he is building a church, “you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.” He does that, I think, because he knows that we cannot follow him by ourselves alone. St. Paul regularly tells us that we need to encourage one another. I need your relationship to me to encourage me in my walk with Jesus. I need you to hold me accountable to grow spiritually. We are all better off when we do this together. Jesus tells us that when two or three of us are gathered in his name, that he is there, right there among us. And, he tells us that how we love one another will be a great witness in the world to the fact that God sent him. “May they be made one so that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me.”
Accept one another. Forgive one another. Greet one another. Bear one another’s burdens. Honor one another. Teach one another. Submit to one another. Serve one another. Encourage one another. Share each other’s joys. Love one another. Yup, seems like the New Testament is full of encouragement to be church.
So, during this time of year when we are reflecting on how well we are doing in our following of Jesus, the question arises as to how I am doing in being a part of a church community. How have I committed to others in the church? How am I committed to making my church a place where the love of Jesus can be found? Have I offered my time and talents in service of my church? Have I made an effort to meet others in the church and become friends with them? Have I prayed for the other members of my parish? Do I say hello to other members as they come to church and leave from church? Do I know others and am I known?
I know that my life is better and my Christianity is better because you are in it. Sometimes I might want to just be alone and hide from the world, but that is a temptation that does not yield a positive result. When I leave my safe little corner and move out into the church community I am blessed by the presence of Christ. The church as a whole has some pretty important work to do: preserving the teaching of Jesus, offering the sacraments, speaking truth to power, and so much more. But each of us has the important work to do of being Christ to all that we meet so that they may come to know him and fall in love with him.
Peace,
Fr. Damian