NBVM Novena Day 5: Faith Community United in Christ
“We are a faith community because we are centered on Christ” said Fr. Ryan. The Catholic church is united as a faith community despite our diversity, because we are united as one body in Christ. As St. Paul explains in 1 Cor : 12 that we are one body but many parts and Christ is the head and we are all journeying together. As a faith community, we need the following:
Fellowship: The early Christian community were devoted to fellowship- breaking bread together and worshiping the Lord. Fr. Ryan challenged the congregation to reflect on the parish motto “My church my home”. Home is where we experience peace. Do we experience peace when we come to church? Are you neglecting or avoiding someone or some group in the community? If this is your home, then there must be fellowship with everyone at the church.
Support, encouragement and affirmation– If we have these, our parish will grow. Thus reflect: Are you able recognize the gifts in one another in the parish? Are you able to encourage and affirm one another ?
Unity– Despite our differences in colour, race and language, we are united in Jesus. We are called to be disciples of Christ . And as such, are you able to show God’s love to one another? Do we bear with one another with patience and humility?
Care and share– In Acts 4, St Paul tells us that the early Christians shared what they had- bread, gifts and talents and cared for one another. They were not oblivious of one another. We have to pray for one another, pray for those who are sick, weak and sinful. In James 5:16 we are told that “a righteous person praying ..has tremendous power” within the community for healing and restoration. Many of us neglect personal prayer. We come together for Eucharistic prayer but we do not spend personal time with God. When you pray, the sick, weak and sinful experience healing power of God and are liberated from the darkness and sinfulness of life.
Commissioning of Christ: We have to go out and preach. We are to continue with the mission of the Lord as disciples and witness to one another.
Rooted in God’s spirit-We have received the Holy Spirit and our lives should be rooted in the spirit. We should allow Jesus into our hearts so that the evil spirits within our community are cast out. We need to be tuned to the spirit.
