Lent Days 15-17: Community

Brothers [and sisters],
if anyone is caught in any transgression,
you who are spiritual should restore him 
in a spirit of gentleness.
Keep watch on yourself,
lest you too be tempted.
Bear one another's burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ.
For if anyone thinks he is something,
when he is nothing,
he deceives himself.
But let each one test his own work,
and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone
and not in his neighbor.
For each will have to bear his own load. ...
And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap,
if we do not give up.
So then, as we have opportunity,
let us do good to everyone,
and especially to those 
who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:1-5, 9-10
The past few days, I have rejoiced in
15: The ongoing chain of holy friendship
16: Ocean beaches that display God's creativity
Sunday: Scripture studies together
17: Sharing the bounty God provides
It's easy to compare ourselves with people who are struggling, or conversely, with someone who effortlessly does what we struggle to do.

 "What is that so hard for him?" or "Why is that so easy for her?"

 Each of us needs others around us. But the value of community is not in comparison. It lies in companionship and comfort. When others easily accomplish what we have to work at, we take heart: "It is possible," we whisper encouragement to ourselves.

 Or when they struggle with what comes naturally to us, we speak hope and courage to them. "Keep going. You can do it! And I am willing to help you succeed."

 God has put us in the Church rather than leaving us as "Lone Rangers". The independent West can learn much from the dependence of families in the East. But both need to overcome the weaknesses of absolutes" "I can do it" or "I can't do anything without everyone agreeing." 

 Sometimes God challenges us beyond the comfort zone of what we have done before. Maybe we've been surrounded by family or friends who always pitch in, but this time we have to risk doing things on our own. Or God may make us depend on the help of others, when we are used to doing everything by ourselves. 

 In the Church, we work for interdependence, releasing and engaging the full strength of our gifts to build each other up. That's true community.

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