It Takes A Community (07/08/2025)

This past week, an amazing friend and community member passed away. I went to visit her at Hospice, and while she never spoke to me, I know she knew I was there because her eyes opened slightly. When she passed away, I had the opportunity to do something for her in thanksgiving for what she’d done for me; I promised to organize the funeral luncheon for her family and friends who would celebrate her life and mourn her passing.

I put out the word and prayed that the women of our parish would respond. History encouraged me; these women have always stepped up in the moment of need. And they did it again. They emailed me with promises of salad, desserts, and potatoes for the luncheon as well as the times they would work.

The day of the funeral, I did what I do, I unlocked the door and began to do what I could. I needed help moving the chairs to the tables, so I walked over to church and intercepted a few with a plea for help after Mass. And these draftees showed up, so generously and graciously and joyfully moving all the chairs to the dining tables already set out for the luncheon. It was marvelous. And I thanked them and offered them donuts for their help.

Then the food donations began to be dropped off, the workers began to show up, the sandwiches were made, the serving utensils were fetched. And the women did what they always do, they talked and laughed as they worked together. And I stepped aside more than once and simply whispered to the LORD, “Yes!”

At the anticipated time, we set up the buffet tables with the sandwiches, hot potatoes, salads, and desserts. We put out the water pitchers on the tables. And we stood back and watched as the family and friends gathered to share conversation, consolation, comfort, and food. The women volunteering continued to work, restocking the buffet line, fetching special items diners requested. And the workers spoke to the family and friends, offering their condolences sincerely.

As the luncheon wound down, the volunteers began the clean up process. Everyone was doing something: washing dishes, packaging leftovers for the family, clearing counters, washing tables, drying and putting away dishes, emptying the trash. And suddenly, I turned around and everything was done. And I silently gave thanks to the LORD as I thanked all the women present.

I was the last one to leave. I walked to the front door with the last of the workers, thanking them again for their help. I locked the door and slowly walked to the light panel to turn off all the lights. As I turned off the lights, one section at a time, I recalled the people gathered, the family and friends. I gave thanks to the LORD for a place for them to gather and a community that would support them in their time of need.

I grabbed my few things and headed to the back door to lock up there. I must admit I walked slower than I did that morning when I came in even though I was carrying less. I was so full of thanks for the gifts I’d seen shared that day and for the compassion and love expressed. I wished to myself that more could have experienced it. Love lived out loud makes a huge impression on one’s soul, much deeper and more transformational than any homily, book or movie. I thanked the LORD for being given the opportunity to witness it myself up close.

We are the living Body of Christ. We are individuals who are called to work together as a living body, as a community. I’m a word addict, loving the origin of words and their deeper meaning. “Community” comes from the Latin: “con” meaning together and “munis” meaning performing duties. As a community, we members have duties to our LORD and one another. And we are never more “community” than when we perform those duties for love of Christ and one another.

I just love it when a plan comes together and in the process more closely knits together the hearts and minds and lives of the living Body of Christ.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.