A community must be more than the sum of its members; there needs to be dialogue to agree on common tasks and ways to respond, as a community, to the challenges of our times. The growth process from isolation to communion is promoted by dialogue. Communication is basic to community. It is a two-way street, and no one is so poor that they have nothing to offer.
Opening prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, creator of all things, come visit our hearts with your power.
Fill with grace, friendly guest, the hearts which You have created.
You are called the Consoler, gift from the hand of God, source of life, light, love, and flame, highest good.
You are the pledge of the sevenfold grace, finger of God’s hand, promised us by God, and You make our tongues speak the truth.
Cast light on our senses, pour love into our hearts.
Grant our weak bodies strength that they may never grow weary of doing good.
Amen.
Reading 1: Luke 4, 16-19
Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. Jesus stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: “The spirit of God is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”
Song: As I Have Done for You
Reading 2: Acts 2: 42-47
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common. They would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
A community is composed of highly communicative persons who interact, having a diversity of gifts and talents, have a common vision and share common objectives assumed by all.
We are all created in the image of God with diverse gifts and talents. Each person throughout life discovers gifts to place at the service of the community. It is preferable that many do a little than that a few do a lot.
Reflection Questions
What is dialogue and how is it different than communication?
How can I say with clarity and charity what I think and feel?
How can I use all of my senses to listen attentively to the needs of others?
Song: Land of the Living