Photo credit: Lawrence OP
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here…”
Words often heard when sitting on a hard wooden bench on a Sunday morning. The words imply a strong community. One in which all members are loved for who they are: followers of Christ. I can imagine the early missionaries saying these words to their converts – and saying them with sincerity. I can imagine the small groups of early Christians gaining comfort from one another especially during their persecution while under the Roman Empire.
But now, when I hear these words, I am surrounded by strangers – many of whom I do not see every week. The words are said by a man who has not made any connection with the people who come, week after week, to hear what he has to say about the Word of God. Yes, the modern church-goer and Christian believer is beloved: beloved by God. But beloved by the other members of the Christian community? This is not what I sense when I attend mass at a large parish church in the city. I have felt beloved by my fellow community members when attending a small parish church – but not when I do so at a large one. Instead, when the priest walks out the front doors of the church at the end of mass, believers stream out after him and then go their own way.
Modern life and the rush to get to where we are going seems to have taken away an important aspect of the way in which we view our fellow believers. I pray for a time when we can once again look at other Christians and called them “beloved” with sincerity in our hearts.
Do you feel “beloved” in your Christian community?
(This post was inspired by the prompt “beloved” posted by Lisa-Jo Baker)
It’s one of the reasons I go to a smaller church, where you get to know everyone and they know you as well. I feel like it’s more like God’s community that way. Just my personal preference.
I agree with you. At a smaller parish people tend to take the time to get to one one another. Unfortunately I have not found one yet in this big city I live in.
I’m a part of a relatively small Christian community in the centre of London, a very busy city indeed. But our community is small and loving and pretty much everyone knows everyone and what is going on in their lives because we make sure there is time to catch up with everyone each week, and we also show care for people in the community who are struggling or going through a difficult time
Sounds like you have found a haven of caring people who embody what the Christian community should be about.
I’m a bit lapsed but you have me thinking now!
People who have the same religious beliefs can always be a spiritual support in times of need. The relationship does need to be fostered though, I believe.
I used to feel that way. My husband and I attend a large church in our city’s urban core. God placed on my heart though that my definition of community was not his definition. I had a community of believers surrounding me and though I don’t hob nob with our pastors and their families, the church of believers is wherever we are gathered. It’s been a huge blessing and relief to recognize that and take ownership in the community for which I belong.
Hope you can find this to be true in your situation as well.
I hope too to find this in the long run. Adjusting sometimes takes a little while as well as breaking down the invisible barriers that people here seem to erect around themselves.
I imagine that you are a friend to strangers, even to those that worship beside you, with kindness and grace and sincerity in your heart. Thanks for sharing.
Donna (More Grace)
I certainly try my best
The ‘call centre’ approach to ministry. These days in many cases, there is one man to several church communities. And, constant movement to other parishes. I really miss the days when one had the same priest who baptised you there to marry you and then baptise your grandchildren. Likewise with the doctor. Or even shopkeeper. Communities, even in cities, with continuity. Gone.
In this instance I definitely prefer the old-fashioned way. There was more of a connection between people because there was the time to chat and build relationships. And, as you say, continuity.
My daughter always refers to her husband as beloved, Colline. She’s just back from honeymoon in Venice and I thought your post might be relating to the pope’s abdication. My favourite part of church is always “the peace”.
No, I had not read yet of the abdication before writing this
It’s unfortunate that this is so.. I was thinking I might try going to church again to become part of a community. Maybe the smaller churches would give us this sense of belonging? xx
In my experience they do. The people tend to stay after the mass and chat a little instead of going quickly to whatever their next stop is.
I don’t really belong to any church or Christian community. The times that I did everything seemed to be so full of interpersonal politics.
Some sort of politics seem to follow you everywhere: work, church, social activities. Guess the trick is to find a place where there is less
There is a street preacher in downtown TO. I have been meaning to assist him with his mission to help the homeless. Many enjoy the comforts of attending church. This has not been my experience. I don’t think I can relate to this since it wasn’t part of my upbringing. I find a commonality in all religions and this centers on community values which I believe strongly in. A good community is one where we help each other. I have a more inter-faith based belief system which includes all religions. The concept of Karma, borrowed from Buddhism is very important to me.
I find peace in helping others. It seems to be the only place I find it.
If more people were to help one another it would move us more towards what Jesus Christ was preaching while he was alive.