Community

Many years ago, a devote and articulate Jesuit priest once shared with me that he didn't find God in worship, or ritual, or, knowledge. He found God in the relationships around him. At first, this was a suprise since this man was in charge of worship, ritual, and teaching for a hosptial chaplaincy. And as a Jesuit, his order was well known for their commitment to the development of a life of the intellect searching for God.

Yet, he searched beyond those places into the broken vessels of human interactions that comprise our friendships, our family, our colleagues, and the people God places in our paths. These broken vessels are known as community, that web of relationships that are never perfect but nevertheless shine with the love of God. Our lives at times will know the intensity and comfort of close relationships. At times we wonder if those times of close friendship will ever come again as our children age and the circle of our adult friends change. We wonder if we will make new friendships when we move, enter a long term care community, or, must now live without a spouse.

In the broken, imperfect web of relationships we do find God. St. Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until we find our rest in Thee." Our restless hearts can find a place of comfort in God in community with one another.