St. Joseph of the Lakes

I am so proud to be part of a living, active Christian community. Even in Jesus’ lifetime the members of the community argued with each other. The apostles argued with each other about who was most important. After Jesus’ death the early Christian community argued about what had to happen to a person to be considered a Christian. When Jesus was alive he ended their arguments; but after his death and resurrection they chose their sides, got riled up at each other and then unlike the rest of the world, the arguing parties gathered together, respecting the inherent dignity of each person and they sorted out what was best for all believers. They valued their sense of unity above any individual’s sense of “righteousness”.

In the past couple of weeks we have had the same experience as a believing community. Our newly born Respect Life committee desired to have a table at the parish festival where they could distribute information and encouragement to those who would be attending. The parish festival committee responded to the request with some caution, given that there are many different parish groups that would love to use the festival as an occasion to distribute their information and encouragement. Since this has not been the practice of the festival in the past the members of the committee were not ready to say yes to the Respect Life committee for this year.

This impasse created quite a stir amoung the faithful of our community. Sides were chosen, angry statements were made, some wondered about the “catholicity” of our parish community. Throughout the first week tensions rose, yet, in the deepest, best part of being a Christian community the members began to talk with each other, respecting their identities as brothers and sisters in Christ. There arose a resolution to the conflict, to understand that this year the festival was not ready for the placement of a table for a single group at the festival, but instead there is now a commitment to talk about this reality for the Respect Life committee as well as other groups within the parish at next year’s festival.

How amazing to see Christianity at work in real time! Thanks to all of my brothers and sisters who are living out their faith in real time. There are still a few who want to stir the pot, as if we have not discovered a way of unity, I am sure the same thing happened after other discussions within the Christian community, but the value of Christian unity still guides the heart of the Church.