by Ginger Jerosh • from the June 2022 edition of “The Cupola”
We live in a society that values individualism: my rights, my importance, my needs, my growth, etc. And we expect that the community is there to fulfill all these wants. Each person is supposed to look out for himself in order to maintain independence and well-being. And it’s obvious the power of advertising often reinforces this belief that the individual is primary.
Looking at Scripture, however, we see a sharp contrast. There are many outstanding individuals, but they are all part of a community, and their roles are to lead and strength the group, God’s chosen ones. Moses is given the task to liberate his people from bondage; prophets call people of God back to their true identity; and Jesus chooses disciples to witness His life and fulfill His mission. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is poured out on these disciples not to fulfill their individual needs but rather to create a new community – the Church.
Of course, Jesus comes to us as individuals. Our relationship to God is personal and intimate, but His grace and love call us to live not for ourselves alone but also for the salvation of all. The experience of God’s love is for us to share and nourish each other – not just within the parish but also in the wider realm of community.