Community (04/28/2025)

Yesterday, I and a friend went to mass together in a nearby town. When we got to church, it was still early, and we sat in our car and watched others arrive as we chatted. I noticed that the people were greeting one another, chatting together as they approached the church doors. When the two of us finally decided to go in, we saw clusters of individuals quietly conversing in the back and on the side. I was struck by the sense of community these images presented to me.

In the readings for the day, we heard of the disciples gathered together in an upper room and Jesus appearing to them. Community, coming together with others, was part of the message.

At the sign of peace, I greeted the young man in the pew in front of me by name. I’d met him the last time I visited that church, and I’d asked his name. When I said, “Peace be with you, Joshua,” his face lit up. And I recognized in his reaction a need we all have to be seen.

When the service was completed, I noticed the people greeting one another as their eyes met, sometimes simply with a hi, sometimes, a hug, sometimes a conversation. It took a while to exit because no one was in a hurry. I liked that. I liked the sense of community the experience brought to me.

Yesterday afternoon, we had our neighborhood association meeting in the common circle. Everyone brought their lawn chairs, we formed a circle, and we chatted among ourselves until the time came for the officers to call the meeting to order. It was a great meeting. We didn’t enact any major changes, but we did “reconnect.” As the meeting broke up, various members stopped to catch up with others. There was a real sense of community in the air.

Last evening, as I reflected on the day, I recalled the many times throughout the day the LORD had drawn my attention, my mind and my heart to “community.” I thought of the communities I am blessed to be a part of in my life. Just thinking about them brought me joy. And I heard Jesus’ command: Love one another as I have loved you.

Community, building relationships with others, is part of our journey. We need to remember that, especially today in an era when one could easily isolate one’s self and still survive. But the LORD calls us to build relationships with Him and with one another. Let us use this day as an opportunity to build our relationships with others, to strengthen the bonds that unite us, to love one another as He has loved us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.