11-10-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 10, 2024
I recently heard someone say that chaos drives people deeper into individualism. When I think about it, I believe it is accurate. My concern is that both the story of Israel found in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Jesus story found in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) seem to always invite people, when chaos occurs, to step more fully into community. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Brothers and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness… Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ” (6:1-2). When we make a poor choice or the world is piling it on heavy, it is good to be in community. Equally important, when there are other people who have made a poor choice or find the world piling it on pretty heavy, it is important for us to be fully present in the community. Otherwise, there won’t be a community for those other people.

Merciful God, wherever we are in this often crazy and chaotic journey called life, we pray for the capacity to think, not in terms of survival, but what it would look like for the thriving of the entire community or creation itself. Amen.