Community is Beautiful yet challenging

Community at protest on Climate Change - raise awareness 

The other weekend a group of young religious gathered for the first time here in Melbourne. 

On this journey at times its lonely has I hardly ever come across any other young religious - apart from the guys who are over in Templestowe who I adore spending time when there with them. 

General encounters though are something of a rarity, often only in large celebrations or at lectures when it is impossible to get a moment to talk. Therefore, the gathering was embraced with much delight by all who were present. There was eight in total, even number of Brothers and Sisters, we played the twenty question game eager to learn more about each others journey and the happenings along the way. 

One thing that we spent a little time talking about and everyone was interested to know about was community. Reality is when joining religious life this is a major thing!! You come with expectations or images of what community is yet nothing really prepares you for it - sorry to say. 

It was a general consensus that we all not even try to pretend it’s easy. Or that we should simply press through, or shake it off, or ‘let is slide’. Perhaps, if we can just allow ourselves to set aside those silly notions, we can get to the other side in one piece. Because being in community is hard work. 

Here’s the thing; there is no perfect people. Not even in community. 

Anne and Me at Garden on a bright sunny day. 

We - the imperfect - worship together, and we serve together. We share recipes and stories. We help each other, journey beside each other with small sacrifices and trying to let things wash off us without taking on personal attack of any form. 

Having a generational difference is one thing, having a culture difference is another, joining a community who have journey together for many years is another. There are so many factors and much beauty to be had in community. 

There is one major thing that I have learnt through my ‘limited’ experience of community and that is the deep foundation of community built upon hospitality. 

One thing that I have come to embrace is hospitality. Now, by no means as an introvert Im very good at it, give me the dishes, cleaning job and I will be most content and even do to a perfection standard. Yet bringing conversation or rather introducing it is not an easy task, yet we have been working upon it. This is not just with the invitation of others to our home, rather within also. 

I have learnt that as Christians, a grace filled invitation to the table is set with inclusion and belonging as the primary hope. Without grace, hospitality becomes a meaningless tease; empty promises that highlight unfulfilled longings of community people. 

Joining the community I learnt that my that my own attitude and at times careless use of language wasn’t apparent until we began receiving invitations to be present with people, our brothers and sisters, my community being one of many. 

B and Me night out on the town celebrating White Night. 

Around the table, we laugh about the oddities of living in multi cultural setting. As we share a meal, we are equals, co—travellers on this road of life. When we share a meal with someone, we have an opportunity to learn about someone else’s heart, to connect over stories, shared interests and the gift of just been present. 

It is around table that we offer friendship and celebrate life. Our meals offer a divine moment, an opportunity for people to be seduced by grace into a more fuller, truer life. 

Unbeknownst to each host and hostess, every invitation accepted to date has become a balm to my hardened heart and a deep conviction. 

“Its your heart, not the dictionary that gives meaning to your words” Matthew 12:34 

For many hosts, language, cultural or religious barriers are intimidating. But in my experience, most people are very gracious about what you don’t know in the context of hospitality. There is so much acknowledgement these days of our divisions in society. But we have to take those first steps - however shaky - to create community across divides. These new relationships might feel a little bumpy, but I think that’s okay. 

As I listen to one of the young religious journey, who responded to his calling at the same age as I, joined a community in similar age difference. I heard their voice of been hurt by community, which caught them completely off guard. I think it would be a beautiful thing if no one ever had to know a hurt like that, After all, community is all about love. Right?

Even when we’re at our best, hurting one another is inevitable. Because we’re not perfect. And heres the subtle danger in being hurt; letting our hurt feelings keep us from ever living in community again. We can build a wall around ourselves and keep at arm’s length and can do life on our own… with a thank you very much attitude. 

Brenda, Joan and Fred

But then, what kind of life would this be, what image of Christ is shinning within, around…. and what are we suppose to do with this….. 

“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard word of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honour. James 3:18

There is more than building a wall, pressing through, shaking it off, or letting it slide. No, those are the easy options. The hard work is staying engaged, admitting where it hurts, offering the gift of a sincere apology when necessary, and - when we’re ready - offering forgiveness. 

It is true that sometimes things get more than simply messy, and then it may be time to step back. But when we are just bumping up against each other in the day-to-day of life together, accepting the challenge to stay is often the greatest gift we can offer one another. 

Yeah… Let’s not even try to pretend it’s easy. Community isn’t always easy. 

But its worth it. Community is definitely worth it. 

Linda, Gerard and Me at Xmas concert