We Gather Together

"How about grabbing a drink sometime?" "Would you like to get a little bite to eat?"

How many times have we gathered for meals or drinks with friends, family members, co-workers, team mates, colleagues, or even strangers?  Why do we do this?  I'd say it's not simply to satisfy our hunger, but because we are a communal people.  What does this mean, though?  Communal people?  Well, a shorter answer would be that we are people who long to gather close to others with whom we can share common ground.  More often than not these gatherings give us the opportunity to step outside of our individual selves and re-invigorate our lives through our interactions with each other.

What are some examples of these communal gatherings?  Well, perhaps the most ideal example is in church on Sundays.  In the Catholic tradition, we "grab drinks" and "a bite to eat" with each other once a week at mass in the Eucharistic meal of Christ.  This communal gathering offers us invigoration for our spiritual lives.  However, if we go there simply to "feed" ourselves without participating fully and without recognizing that we are there with each other, then we are severely missing the point.  We wouldn't show up to a dinner party and eat the food and leave without mingling or making conversation with the host and other guests, would we?  Well, sharing the Eucharist with each other on Sundays is the best expression we have of God inviting us to the ultimate "dinner party."

But, church is not the only place where we experience our communal nature.  For example, we experience our longing for community with our families on days such as our recent Father's day.  When we show up at a run group or exercise class, we immerse ourselves in those nourishing communities.  Also, our "day jobs" connect us to people in ways that help us function well in society.  The list could go on and on.  Though we may gather in these communities for different reasons, we should remember that we are nonetheless equally important working parts in those communities. 

To bring things together, here are a couple of final thoughts:
1.  By gathering in community, we connect ourselves not just with those in that community, but also with each other's subsequent communities.  Think of how many people that ultimately may include!
2.  By gathering in community, we must understand that communities are not perfect.  Therefore, we should never exclude anyone from our communities as a result of that imperfection because we are all imperfect and sinful.
3.  In light of this past Sunday's gospel, by gathering in community, we become the product of the tiny mustard seed that has bloomed into a great plant (Mark 4: 26-34).

Remember, the Spirit moves where it will.

May we be ever-faithful, ever-mindful, and ever-joyful.