Word to the Wise
Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - Tuesday in the Second Week of Easter
[Acts 4:32-37 and John 3:7B-15]The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.
Right at the beginning of the Constitutions of the Dominican friars (the Order of Preachers, to which I belong) are the words: "the main reason we are gathered together in community is so that we might live in harmony in the house, of one mind and heart in God......The unanimity of our life has its roots in the love of God and it ought to be a living example of universal reconciliation in Christ which we proclaim by our preaching." It is part of our history and common understanding in the Order that St. Dominic was inspired by the words in the Acts of the Apostles that describe the early Christian community. The "preaching" that is done by a good "faith" community can be far more eloquent than any words spoken from a pulpit. To achieve such a community is not an easy task. The Acts of the Apostles shows that there were disagreements and quarrels and that not everyone was of one mind and heart! Anyone who is married and anyone who joins a religious community (to cite just two examples) can tell you that "community life" is not easy. This is particularly true in our American society where individualism is the primary social force. Community limits freedom and "options." Community demands a commitment to the common good at the expense of one's own preferences! The difficulties are expressed in terms of divorce rates and the low numbers of those who are entering religious communities or making long term commitments to anything! Maintaining one heart and one mind with someone else or with a larger group is a challenging asceticism! Even if the traditional forms of religious life are not faring well in this country, there are other efforts at community that are attractive: Focolare, Comunione ed Liberazione, St. Egidio Community and other "secular institutes" that have arisen since the Second Vatican Council. Some of these require living day-in-and-day-out with other members of the community. Some of them demand only occasional presence and collaboration. Even so, the commitment requires an intentional effort to establish one heart and one mind. A Christian community has to be centered on the teaching of Jesus and on the effort to radiate this teaching through life together. It does not demand that we sprout halos and wings or become less human. It does require intentional effort and constant mercy if love is to be real! The Acts of the Apostles offers a wonderful ideal. If it is to be a reality, hearts and minds must work at it everyday. AMEN
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