The community of humanity

The texts of the Roman Catholic lectionary relate events which might cause reflection on the role of community in a full human life. The Book of Genesis tells of the search of the “first human” Adam for a companion and of the great joy to find flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone. The psalmist proclaims a sense of the “fear” of a God who is the director of the great blessings of a wife and children. The core unit of human existence is a community and our growth and joy is so closely tied to the love we experience and learn in that community. The texts from Mark’s Gospel hint that Jesus is seeking some solitude to pray and “get his thoughts together’. We know of the necessity of individual humans to move into solitude to hear the inner voice which may be from the indwelling Spirit. Jesus is interrupted by one from “outside the community”. The dialogue addresses the concept that the Messiah should be understood to be sent only to the children of Israel. The compassion, healing and formation of a greater community is extended to those thought as outside, unclean or Gentile. Community is the essence of a faith in a Triune Divinity as the Christian Creed proclaims “I believe in God... Father, Jesus... Son, and Holy Spirit” (Love between Father and Son)