When it comes to our places of belonging, whether they are family or friendships or spiritual communities, inevitably we communicate badly or offend or hurt each other, either intentionally or unconsciously. We are people. Precious and flawed. Each born and grown differently, formed by our personalities and a history of relations, social context, and life experiences. It’s a wonder we can get along at all.
Jesus’ community, even his most intimate followers, did not always see things the same way and didn’t always act in ways true to their highest selves.* Though earnest to do the right thing, there were missteps, failure, rejection, and betrayal. I and everyone I know are no different. The thing is, no matter the circumstance, Jesus kept on with his loving invitation to repentance and restoration, persistent in offering God’s ever extended mercy and amazing grace, and seeking always reconciliation and communion.
Where else, how else but in our spiritual communities can we encourage each other to grow into the fullness of our human-spiritual selves? I can grow in my relationship to God in prayer and silence and solitude, but opening myself and being vulnerable with others makes it real. It is where I can actually embody that relationship, imperfectly of course. Our spiritual community, where two or more are gathered in the name of the Beloved* is where we practice, fall, help each other up, and turn again and again to trying to love the Beloved Community into being. The wider world is watching, and it just might get caught up in the glorious madness of God’s vision where we all will be free to be our glorious selves.
For reflection:
- When you are in a conflictual relationship, what do you imagine might be God’s hope?
- How might you and your community invite the movement of the Spirit when confronting a conflict?
- What does it feel like to forgive? To be forgiven?
–Trish Stefanik, Overlook Retreat House at Dayspring
