The Cost of Community

It would be unthinkable to charge money to attend Mass or go to an MLC meeting. Faith and Love should be available to all and free. But cost is not always measured in money.

Sure, there is an expectation that MLCs will support the national Marianist lay networks through an annual contribution so our mission can continue, BUT we don't like to call it "dues." Consider the following Costs of Community:

 

1. I am reminded me of a community meeting in which a member said, "Community is when you get a call from a friend at 3:00am saying his car broke down and you don't hesitate to pick him up."

 

2. Community members usually rise to help a member in crisis like the death of a loved one or a job loss, but sometimes it's harder to let oneself be inconvenienced by another's need. Watching each other's kids, sharing a car, or taking on the burden of leadership (when you'd rather be a fearless follower) carry the cost of time, stress, and energy.   

 

3. I was reminded of another Cost of Community on our recent trip to India. When we met with MLCs , several of the women said it took them 1� hours to walk to the meeting. The temperature was in the mid 90's.   

• How long would you walk to get to a meeting?
• How far would you go to help a friend?  
• Would it make a difference if it were a stranger?   

Sometimes the little annoyances of community life (someone talks too much or is not reliable, differing political beliefs, a grating personality) pale when we remember our mission - to stand by others in good times and in bad and to sacrifice our comfort for the common good in order to bring Christ more fully into the world - as Mary did. 

 

United across the miles and kilometers,
Susan Vogt,
Regional Rep: N. America, Asia, Australia, Ireland

INDIA - Reflections

LET US PRAY