Remembering Community

Recently Pastor Amber asked a group of people to think about one time in their lives when being included in a community made "all the difference".

It wasn't difficult for me to remember several chapters of my life when "community" was a lifeline to sanity and wholeness of heart. The faces, the words, even some gestures returned to my awareness in vivid detail. I felt transported to specific pivotal moments when I felt isolating pain soothed by unconditional love, even in situations where there was no "speedy" solution to be had.

In some of the darkest times, the community functioned as a reminder that life was all around me. At times, community drew me into opportunites to serve others in their need...which, of course, invited me to stop focusing solely upon my own challenges. And, to be sure, there were times when somebody's words were the cup of cool water that soothed my heart's parched tongue.

All humans desire community...even extreme introverts. There is something embedded deep in the heart that desires relationship. Whenever we remember an event, we tend to cite relational details to communicate the IMPACT of that event upon our lives:

Who was present? What was going on? What happened between us and the "other/s" that was meaningful?

I look at the painting of the last supper, and I see Jesus relating to his beloved community tenderly, truthfully. I look from face to face, reflecting upon the depth of thought and emotion radiating from each face...I wonder, how were these people experiencing this moment? What would each remember MOST from those last leisurely hours with the man, Jesus. What would each remember about themSELF...what would each remember about the OTHERS? Years down the road, how did they recall the last time they shared a meal with Jesus? I'm sure it was a time that made "all the difference".

Can we see these next days of Holy Week as a time to reflect upon the way we are each a part of the human sea (community) as well as a single drop of human uniqueness (individuality)? How might we be even more open to the love which is expressed in Christ's words regarding His humble, sacrificial actions..."This is for you!" They are spoken for you specifically AND for all the others with whom you share casual as well as intimate relationships.

How might you be more open to the embrace of amazing love that is lavished upon you as you walk with all of the Children of God through these Holy Days? How will being a part of community make "all the difference?"