Our Life Together Vol 3 Number 9, March 3, 1975

This article touches on three important understandings of life in Community. The first one of these is actually on touch. It is the article by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch, O.P. taken from the February, 1975 issue of New Covenant Magazine. In this article, the author first points to the importance of touch in the life of Jesus. He touched the leper, he touched many of those needing healing. Even after his resurrection, he touched and was touched by the disciples. In fact Fr. Hinnebusch states that the importance of the touch after the resurrection wasn't to demonstrate that he had a physical body, the importance was to establish the fact that he was really and tangibly alive. Because after the cross and after the resurrection, Christ returned to the Father and then the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the church, Jesus was in many ways more intimately present that he had when he was present in the flesh.

The point of this article, and its importance for us in community was the last part where he asks the question, "Whose life have I touched?" He has already presented a beautiful story about loving the unlovable. He also gave the story about St. Francis and the leper. We really believed that when we touched people through physical touch or emotional touch (with words and kindnesses) that this was a way to touch people with God's love. God loving through us.

The second principle is presented through the page of art by Kathy. This demonstrates that while we can protect ourselves from hurt by closing ourselves down, this also keeps us from truly loving and accepting love from others. To feel love, we must be vulnerable. This was taught to people who were hurting. this was also taught to us who live with and minister to that hurting person. We must be careful with someone who has "just come out of their shell."

Finally, Clay writes a fine article on the Pre-eminence of Jesus. Jesus is the reason for all that we do. This is an echo from my last blog. We did not move into community to be involved in social action. We didn't even move in to serve and love others. The motivation for community was to serve Jesus Christ. Everything we did was for and about him.