Christian Community
Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20
Rev. Patricia D. Barth
September 4, 2005
Paul reminds us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Matthew tackles some of the difficulties that arise in the church when we don't love our fellow church members as ourselves. Both scriptures speak to Christian Community. What makes Christian Community? At minimum, there has to be sharing; some kind of social interaction. For most, that interaction takes place around the worship hour. Some may focus on the sharing of announcements, and joys and concerns. For others, perhaps it’s the greeting of many during the peace, or contact with a few close friends during coffee hour.
Still others find their sense of community primarily in Sunday School, or through serving on committees and small groups; a few only show up to work at the bazaar.
Not everyone is able to find community at a church. Most churches that feel they are friendly churches usually are friendly to each other— and visitors and newcomers can feel shut out. Or a church may have a great visitor welcoming team, but newer people feel left out. Conscious effort is needed—to break down walls and make new bridges; to welcome new people and incorporate them into the community. With new members come new ways of doing things— and that's exactly why some churches don't do a good job of evangelism.
Equally important to sharing is caring— caring for the sick and homebound, with visiting and bringing meals; with caring phone calls and a helpful word. Caring also means looking out for the elderly and children of all ages; and being mindful of those who are differently-abled.
Caring and sharing are only possible with a foundation of love— Paul reminds us of what Jesus said again and again: love your neighbor as yourself. Love God; and love neighbor—on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Love your neighbor enough to invite him or her to join you in Christian community at Takoma Park Presbyterian. Love your fellow members and friends in TPPC— love them so much that you put their needs above your own. Put a visitors' need to be greeted above your own need to see your dearest old friends. Step out of the comfort zone of your own age group, or whatever group, and get to know someone new, or someone who doesn't seem to belong to ANY group. This applies to budgeting, too— living in Christian community means putting the good of the whole church above the concerns of our own interest group. Love your neighbor, as yourself.
Paul says, Put on the Lord Jesus Christ—as you would put on protective clothing or armor— because it is protection for yourself. But it’s more than that--
I like to think of being clothed in Christ for the benefit of others— When you are clothed in Christ you'll have a heartfelt smile; a hug when its needed; an open ear; real listening that not only lets another communicate with us, but that hears another into speech.
At the end of the month, we will have an opportunity to practice being clothed in Christ. After worship, we'll gather in the Assembly Room for potluck lunch and a chance to talk together about the replacement of the sign out front, and what should go on it. We'll discuss what words best represent the identity of Takoma Park Presbyterian, and practice respectful communication that shows love and the presence of Jesus.
When Jesus Christ permeates our community, we can accept another for who she or he really is as a person. We can acknowledge and rejoice in the gifts of others. Only through the light of Christ can we embrace and transcend our differences.
With a foundation of love and Jesus to clothe us, we can have true community in our own little corner of Montgomery County. But of course, that’s not enough.
Christian community must also extend beyond its doors. And there’s a world of sorrow outside right now. The headline on my computer says, "New Orleans abandoned to the dead and dying." Can you believe it?
As if the destruction of the hurricane and the devastating flooding wasn't enough! . There are wonderful stories of heroism. People do care. Some love their neighbors as themselves. But you’ve all seen the disparities on the news. People stranded in the Ritz-Carlton who called CNN on their cell phones were taken to safety with every possible precaution, including a helicopter just to shine a light, and antibiotics because they had to walk through the water for a block or less. They phoned CNN to say they had managed to fly home. Yet poor people of color are still being plucked from their attics. A black woman in labor had to swim a long way in filthy water to deliver her baby. A young woman in the horrific Super Dome slipped and fell on the feces-slick floor, broke her neck and died. Funny, nothing like that seems to have happened to people with the means to drive out of town or hire private planes. Attorneys from New Orleans have been buying up property in Baton Rouge, while those with lesser means suffer without food, water or toilet facilities at the Convention Center. African-Americans are called looters, and whites are shown “finding food and water”. Racism is alive and well in these United States. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
I’ve heard people say, "The 60's was the Civil Rights Movement; the 70's was Women's Liberation; and now we’re working on civil rights for Gays and Lesbians." As if we could cross racism off our list; a done deal; mission accomplished!
A society is measured by how well it takes care of the least, the poorest and those most unable to take care of themselves. We're not doing very well! I pray that this crisis will force us to take a good hard look at ourselves as a nation. Let us pray together:
we gather in this place,
warm, safe, secure,
trusting and believing
that you are with us.
they gather
on rooftops
waving signs for help;
they gather
in a football stadium
seeking safety and security;
they gather
at the levees
to pile up sandbags
to try to stop the flooding;
they gather
in shelters at schools
reaching out to help
the children and elderly;
they gather,
from all parts of the country,
to offer all that they have
to those who have lost everything.
Lord,
keep your promise
to be with us
wherever we gather.
(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman
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