Return to Communion

The Gospel of Luke from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today presents Jesus commentary on the celebration of the disciples that they had great success in their efforts to proclaim Jesus message to the people in the surrounding communities. He exhorts them to be joyful because they are united with in communion with the saints in heaven in an intimate relationship with the Divine. The prophet Baruch provides encouragement for the people of Jerusalem who have apparently lost contact with God and the traditions of the past. They find themselves witness to the destruction of their home by foreign armies. The isolation they experience is one of their own choosing. The intimacy they once enjoyed with God was rejected. The psalmist joins Baruch in praising God who does not forget His needy ones and who will rebuild the cities of Judah. The view from the outside at memories is one of separation. The one who turns back to God sees the image of welcome to rejoin the communion.