THIRD CONVERSATION:
THE MODEL OF COMMUNITIES WHOSE EXISTENCE WE ARE CALLED TO ENCOURAGE
-We want each of our communities to be truly a reflection and expression of the Church that Jesus founded. That requires that we reflect on each of the aspects that we must encourage:
1. Faith in Jesus Christ and the life of the Spirit.
-The fundamental point of the whole community is the recognition and confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. And that means to encounter him personally. It means to have Peter’s experience (Matthew 16:16ff):], which changes us inwardly (the inward change is the reason why Jesus gave him a new name) and gives us the mission of being his witnesses.
-Until each and every member of our communities has that personal encounter, it is necessary to evangelize constantly.
-The personal encounter with Jesus is possible only by the action of the Holy Spirit. “It is not flesh and blood but the Father who reveals” who Jesus is (Matthew 16:17). And the Father sends the Spirit to bring about the new life in us (Romans 8:9-15).
Life in the Spirit is a life of communion, love and freedom (Galatians 4:4-7).
These two dimensions are the bases of every communion that is faithful to Jesus. The whole of the sacramental life is directed toward making possible and actual that new life in the Spirit.
2. The internal organization of each of the communities.
-In the first conversation we saw that it is necessary for our communities to be organized if we are to carry out the mission of love and evangelism.
But the offices in the communities do not create differences of rank, for they are to be exercised with humility and dedication (Philippians 2:2-5).
All the offices and ministries must be performed as gifts. That means being aware that it is the same Spirit who chooses and empowers people to perform each ministry and that the community is aware of and benefits from that ministry.
-Each community ought to pray for the effusion of many gifts on its members and then ought to be ready to recognize them and create space in which they can be exercised.
-We know that the gifts can be of a specific spiritual type, as those that Paul mentions in his letters (I Corinthians 12). But also, human qualities can be considered as a gift, if it is recognized that these come as a gift that God gives and are put to the generous service of the community. A truly charismatic community ought to be one in which each of its members has recognized one of several personal gifts to serve and all recognize the fundamental gift of love that unifies and continually builds up the Body of Christ.
-It is very important that in each community there be a Council that evaluates and directs the steps that are being taken.
-Likewise, it is necessary that there be a plan of work. Programs and initiatives ought to be organized so that there may be a place for each everyone; there should be pastoral ministry for adults, for youth, for children, for persons with special difficulties, and so on.
3. The fundamental freedom and equality of everyone in the community.
-Each truly Christian community recognizes the basic equality among all its members. This unity is based on the gift of the Spirit.
From this equality should be recognized the freedom which all the members should enjoy.
The plans and projects that each community offers should be seen as opportunities for support and growth, but never as requirements that then exclude many people because they are not able to participate in them.
-Spaces ought to be opened in the community so that each person can exercise his or her gifts and charismas.
-There is no need to be afraid of the initiatives taken by brothers and sisters. If something is obviously negative it is necessary to rectify it, but this correction is to be done without cutting off what the Spirit is inspiring and encouraging.
4. Openness toward everyone in each community.
-The communities must be open to everyone.
Every one must be respected.
Our mission to evangelize brings us to proclaim the Good News. But the gospel has different results in each person. God has a personal plan, unique and unrepeatable for everyone.
-It is necessary to offer the necessary means whereby each brother who falls can get up.
-It is necessary not to tire in offering a new opportunity to whoever has fallen and repents and also not to insist on “the right time and the wrong time” with one who has fallen and does not have the strength to get up (I timothy 1:13-16).
We ought never forget that we are not healthy, but are ill and need the physician and that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who is converted than for ninety-nine who do not need conversion (Luke 15-18).
-Therefore we must not tire in opening possibilities for everyone and in seeking out those who are fallen.
5. Solidarity with others and participation in the life of the community.
-The most fundamental act of love is the act of sharing our faith, and that will be the theme of the next conversation.
But also our communities must develop a strong solidarity with everyone who needs their help.
There must be no distinction of persons in giving this help. When we help we do not do it for the specific person as such but because we see in that person Christ himself. Therefore, in the face of needs we must not make distinctions among the members of our community and others who may also need it.
-Also it is fundamental that each community be involved in assistance and community development programs. Even if someone may feel the call of God (and not of selfish interests) he can participate politically provided that he be honest and not use his religious position to limit the freedom of others and also that his own community approve it.
6. Evangelist and missionary dynamism
To be able to fulfill the basic principle of each communion, that is, living from faith in Jesus Christ and living life in the Spirit, it is indispensable that each community evangelize continuously and systematically.
-That can be achieved through seminars on life in the Spirit, retreats, educational courses, etc.
Evangelizing action aims especially to proclaim the Good News and to encourage growth in the life of the Spirit on the part of both members of the community and also their neighbors.
Missionary activity is directed especially to the formation of new communities in places where there are not yet communities that are in the alliance.
Both evangelism and mission are dimensions of every truly Christian community, which they cannot renounce.
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