We Need Each Other

Whenever work is really hectic and things get crazy, I always think about how grateful I am that I do not have to do everything alone.  There is a team of people working together to get various tasks and projects done.  A normal day involves everyone filling in their part.  Some days you give more and other days you give less and coworkers always step in to do whatever it takes to complete the work.  Coworkers help you along through the work day, encourage you when you need some inspiration and motivation on a project, and give you what is needed to get it done.  I think this is a lot like life and our journeys of faith.
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Looking at my journey of faith over time and reflecting on the growth I have experienced, one factor that comes to mind immediately is community.  In a world that tells us it’s better to be completely independent and do everything on our own, I am reminded that what truly sustains me and deepens my faith is the community of people who are striving to know and love Jesus more deeply each day.  It is overwhelming to think about the number of people who have guided me in faith and who continue to do so.  So many people have inspired me and encouraged me through their willingness to share their love for God and their excitement for the Catholic faith.  I am continually amazed at the countless people who care about where I’m at and where I’m going.  They share their knowledge, wisdom, personal stories, and offer up prayers for me.  Walking this journey of faith would be impossible if I had to do it on my own.  It’s a good thing we are not asked to do it alone.  

God created us to live in relationship with one another.  We truly need each other if we want to grow in faith.  We need the witness of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We need to see how Christ is working in their lives.  We need to hear their stories of how He has touched their hearts in both big and small ways.  Being Catholic is not always easy, especially in today’s culture.  In fact, we will be persecuted and challenged.  After all, Jesus was.  We will have struggles and experience suffering.  We need prayers and support from those around us.

​The opportunity to be in communion with others is all around us.  First and foremost, we have the gift of worshipping God together in the Mass every week.  There is a lot of power in that.  Aside from the Mass, there are retreats, conferences, Bible studies and faith sharing groups that we can partake in that allow us to build connections with other members of the Body of Christ.  Everyone has something to offer that no one else can.  We are part of other people’s journeys and that is a beautiful thing.

In this individualistic world, people are desperate for community.  Striving to grow in holiness and walk the straight and narrow path is hard.  Having other people walking with you is less hard.  Don’t be afraid to lean into your faith community.  Let them laugh with you, cry with you, pray with you and for you.  Let them experience joy, excitement, pain, and sadness with you.  Let them teach you, guide you, and help you grow closer to Jesus.  

Today, take some time to thank God for the people in your faith community and pray that everyone would enter into the community that we were made for!