Baptism, the Holy Spirit and Communal Life

This past Sunday we had wonderful conversations about how Christians should live communally. Many of us had questions as to how this kind of communal life could be lived. We have good reasons to be cynical for many of us have experience the "dark side" of Christian community and it has proven to be no community at all for many others. I will agree that this is the case, that many times we fail each other and God. This does not mean that we are to leave the idea behind and not seek to live like God has called us to.

In Baptism we are empowered by the Spirit to live this communal life. Baptism "grafts us" into Christ and into each other. Baptism is our new birth in the community of faith. So the Spirit makes it possible for us to live communally in the way of Jesus. What would happen if we took this seriously?

I am amazed at how many times we take this idea for granted. We come to the communal meeting not expecting anything. We enjoy each others company but when things do not go our way we bail or (worst yet) we become destructive. Basing our participation in this community as a right we demand out way or else. Is this the way of Jesus? Is this living "grafted into" Jesus? Is this living according to the Spirit?

All of you were right! Christian community is impossible by our own strength. This is why Jesus promised to be with us always. This is why we gather and proclaim our identity as people of God time and time again. In this proclamation we are reminded of who we are and who is Lord.

I invite us to think about this way of life. Are we living in these ways? Are we taking seriously our communal identity as people of God? or Are we in this just for us and what we think is best.

We have been sealed by the Spirit of God in our Baptism. This means that we have the Spirit of God within us allowing us to live this communal life. Claim it and proclaim it in word and deed.

Peace, Juan+

The Bible and Community

The bible is a series of books written by a particular group of people. Its claims are universal and are rooted in the story of a people. Those of us who claim the name "Christian" are claiming to be heirs to the promises made therein. This means that we are also called to live out the covenant.

Covenant making is not popular today. We rather not make commitments, do it on our own and not depend on anybody. Here is where the Christian faith is most counter cultural for it calls us to depend on each other and to proclaim a communal message.

This week we continue our study on Christian community. This time we will look at the marks of this community according to our sacred text, the bible.

We spoke last week about the need for "authentic community." My prayer is that we will all learn the importance of that community to our faith and to our life.

See you Sunday!

Peace, Juan+