THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
In a recent article, I highlighted that the current financial difficulties in general, are not a time for Welfare organisations to cut back, but rather a time to be even more generous. However, I noticed an unease arising for some when discussing what I had written. I must acknowledge how easy it is to create guilt when referring to the gap between rich and poor, but this achieves little, for the compassion of Christ requires being rooted in love. Each person has to decide for themselves to what extent they will part from the wealth entrusted to them.
In the same article I also referred to challenging our church goers to greater generosity. On reflection, I think that is what should have been emphasized more, precisely because a community is far more powerful than any individual. In the early Church, caring for those in difficult circumstances became built into the structure of a community. The Sunday scriptures, in the post Easter season, tell of the early Church ordaining people to ensure all in their midst were cared for. These communities pooled all their resources, and sometimes the vulnerable were being neglected. In their case, due to lack of any other support, widows. In today’s Church, the practice of pooling all our resources and selecting individuals to care for the poor, seems to have vanished and relies on volunteers. I think we would be amused if we were confined to caring for ‘practicing Catholics alone!’ And the challenge to pool all our resources is fraught with difficulty! But we might notice how the first Christian communities ensured no one in their midst would be neglected. That is a good starting point. However, life has changed since Christianity began. God’s compassion must go to all human beings for we are one family. Working alone can never be compared to what a community can do. Bear in mind though, a community is only as strong as its members, but if committed and open, a community has some chance of ensuring all have enough.
It is well known in New Zealand that many of the service clubs have combined because of dwindling numbers. The V de P societies have a similar problem. On the other hand, there are signs of life when it comes to volunteers. We might note the student armies which formed after the Christchurch earthquakes and how that work has continued by constantly renewing its membership. What we do observe is the joy and the enthusiasm of those student volunteers working together, giving back to the wider community. People do rise to the challenge. It is therefore worth the time spent reflecting on whether or not we work together as a community or as an individual. Sometimes, even our small community might serve more powerfully is we work alongside other small communities.
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DISCUSSION:
In light of what is written above, does the work of the V de P need to be incorporated more into Catholic communities? What else exists for similar purpose in your parish?
Discuss the phrase and its relevance: “if you do what you’ve always done, you get what
you’ve always got”.
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PRAYER
Jesus
You did not walk alone
Many accompanied you.
Your Church is founded on your friends
Bonded by your love
Their faith in you.
Give us the friends we need
To share our dreams
To help us complete
That which is missing
In whatever we build.
