Beloved one, take heart and rejoice! A path has been forged for you, an invitation to a spiritual journey as one of God’s chosen. Do not underestimate your worth, for you play an essential role in building God’s spiritual community here on earth.
Let us always remember that our faith is not an mere individual endeavor or solitary journey, but from the day that we accepted Christ into our lives we are already part of the divine communion through his body. This means that we are part of his body, a larger whole.
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;”
– Romans 12:3-13
God created us not as isolated beings, but people in communion with Him and one another. Each of us are the hands and legs of a larger picture, and our contributions serve to grow and allow the community to flourish. By living in fellowship with one another, breaking bread together and praying for one another we are brought into deeper communion with Christ.
Strengthening Our Assets Through Service
To play our part and foster growth in the community of Christ, we are called nurture our shared spiritual assets. Service is not merely an act of charity but a way of cultivating our spiritual wealth. In every act of service and every helping hand we extend, we contribute to the growth of our spiritual community. Each act of service is a brick, a building block in the construction of this divine edifice.
Our faith must be rooted in the rich soil of community and watered by the acts of service. As Galatians 5:13 reminds us, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Upholding God’s Intent for Community
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
God’s intent was always for you to be part of His thriving spiritual community. St. Paul, whose spirit guides these words, lived and breathed the ethos of community. He understood the power of a united community under God, striving together in service and faith. He comprehended the worth of the community as the greatest asset in God’s grand design for mankind. He realized the power of service, not as an obligation but as a joyous celebration of God’s love.
Our faith relies heavily on community. For love connect merely be reserved for oneself, it must be passed on to others and multiplied exponentially.
Practicing Love and Service
The foundational stones of our faith resides in self-love, love of one’s neighbor, and love of God. It is a spiritual practice to love – you can improve with practice.
When we become followers of Christ, we are called not only to serve Him but also to serve others, especially those in need. Selfish people do not serve because they are too preoccupied with themselves to invest in others. When we enter into service, we must have a heart of selflessness and no expectation of gain. We must set aside our personal agendas and focus solely on God and the people we serve.
Serving others is a true act of humility and love that Christ absolutely adores. It gives us the opportunity to discover and develop our spiritual gifts and talents! We will have the opportunity to witness God’s glory firsthand through acts of service. We will encounter Him through miracles that occur in the lives of others as we meet their needs.
Prayer to Grow As a Community
Dearest Father, we thank You for the gift of community and for calling us to be part of your divine kingdom. Help us to see our community as an asset, a spiritual treasure chest where each act of service is a precious gem. Guide us to be steadfast in service, fervent in faith, and united in love. May we grow together as a spiritual community that nurtures each other and spur each other towards love and good deeds. May we honor Your divine plan for us by being the community You envisioned, a beacon of love and light in the world. St. Paul, pray for us. Amen 🙏
