[1]In a settlement
community the church was often established before any other institution. Though
faith brought people together, social events were an important part of the
church’s role, particularly in rural communities. Baptisms, weddings, and
funerals were solemn occasions, but following the church service, the gathering
of friends, family, and neighbors marked the event with food and conversation. The
Church also provided important community services to the poor, ill, and needy.[2]
It’s all about community identity and community relationships, with the Church at
the center of the relationship.
The opening oracle of the Book of Haggai challenges
the people of Jerusalem to delay no longer construction of a temple. Having
just returned from the Babylonian exile, the peoples chief focus initially went
to rebuilding their own homes. Yet, the community continued to struggle. The
prophet tells them, if you want to see a change in your circumstances, first
turn your attention to God, who is the source of all that is good. For what really
matters is your witness to faith. Just as God delivered the people from
oppression in Egypt, so now God continues to look after the welfare of the
people.[3]
Which brings us to Yeshua Bar Yosef (Jesus) from the tiny nothing hamlet of
Nazareth who is now being recognized as the long awaited promised one. The
Christ, who asks, “Who do the crowds say
that I am?” (Lk 9:18) and “Who do you say that I am?” (Lk 9:20)
Let’s reflect on the questions a bit
differently. We believe Jesus is the Christ. We believe Him to be fully
present: in the Eucharist, in the Word proclaimed, in the presiding priest, and
in the people gathered. We know we are the Church! We are many parts, but one
body in the one Spirit. Right!? We know we are called to be the visible body of
Christ the servant in the world. Agreed?! So, the question becomes:
Who
do the crowds say that we are? We’ve seen the news reports, the social
media posts, and I’m sure we’ve all experienced “moments” when friends, acquaintances, or
others discover we identify as Catholic, many times their disposition towards
us changes, even become challenging. Which motivates me to ask the important
question, who do you say that we are?
Our Catholic identity is rooted in relationships. Relationship by first and foremost with God, who is the source of all that is good. Not just by our attendance at Mass or our regular rote prayers, but by engaging him in the silence of heart felt prayer that cultivates an intimate knowledge of God and self. Relationship with each other as a family of faith. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn 13:35) For when the Church is divided, the community is divided, the nation is divided, the world is divided. And relationship with the rest of the people of God in our community especially the poor, ill, and needy. For the way we love them, may be the only way they’ll be drawn into a relationship with Jesus, the Christ, who desires to be in relationship with us.
[1] Scripture (NABRE), Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13; Matthew
9:9-13
[2] Ndstudies.org. Lesson 3: Building Communities;
Topic 3: Churches; Section 3: The Church as Social Center
[3] Weekday HomilyHelps. Exegesis by Rev. Timothy
P. Schehr and Homily Suggestion by Timothy J. Cronin.
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