Surprises in community

Good News ReflectionWednesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary TimeJuly 8, 2009
Today's Readings:Gen 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24aPs 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19 (with 22)Matt 10:1-7http://www.usccb.org/nab/070809.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_07_08.mp3
Surprises in community
In today's Gospel reading, notice that Jesus did not send out the twelve apostles as separate individuals when he gave them the mission of conquering demons and curing diseases. They were a community of believers. They needed each other.
Even after Pentecost, when the community spread out in different directions to spread the Church, they traveled with partners and remained firmly connected to the local Christian community.
None of us, not even our diocesan priests today (who too often live alone due to a shortage of priests), are meant to serve God by ourselves. We need to have good relationships in the embrace of community. Good friends in Christian community make us accountable in temptations, support us, challenge us, and minister to us.
The first Apostles were a mixed bunch. Some of them were already friends when they met Jesus. Some were brothers. And some were strangers. Some were old, some were young. They had varied educational backgrounds, some with credentials and some with none. They came from a wide range of professions, and they differed in their expectations of the Messiah. And yet, Jesus wanted them all to be part of the same community.
Whom has God placed in your life to surprise you? Who's seemingly too different from you to be included in your circle of Christian friends or in your ministry? Who's a companion for collaboration that you haven't relied upon because you prefer to do the work by yourself?
Also notice that Jesus never asked for the group's input when he invited a new person to join them. This is what makes Christian community interesting. It's the Lord who chooses the members – or it should be, and if we ever try to control who's in our circle of friends, we should give it up and put Jesus back in charge. Oh, and if he adds a Judas to your group, trust that there's a good reason for it. He knows what he's doing. Sure, it will lead to suffering, but only for a good cause.
God knows who should be in our lives. When we do the selecting, we end up in relationships that go sour and communities that fall apart. But when we find ourselves in the fellowship of people we would not have chosen, we can be sure it's Jesus who pulled us together. God has a sense of humor. The very people we try to avoid are often the ones we end up working with in Christian service!
There are no coincidences in a Christian's life. Take note of that person you keep "accidentally" bumping into. There's an undiscovered collaboration between the two of you, which God has ordained, using each one's gifts and talents, insights and experiences, and vocations. In God's perfect timing, the partnership will be revealed.
Don't be afraid. Enjoy the unexpected, the faith-stretching, the amazing benefits of letting God choose your partners in the missions that he gives you. There's much that Jesus wants to accomplish by joining you together.
We cannot successfully fulfill the mission of our calling without community. If you feel alone and miserable because of it, that's exactly how God wants you to feel. He's trying to motivate you to take the risk of getting involved in community with other Christians. Choose a ministry at your parish or go anywhere where there are other Catholics and get involved. Don't let anything hold you back.
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
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