Community and the Core Virtue of Love
Introduction
The center of Jesus’ preaching is the Reign of God, which for Jesus means that God has chosen “relatedness to persons” as the definition of who God is, Emmanuel, God with Us. (Real Presence: The Work of Eucharist by Nathan Mitchell) Another definition for God is—God, as we know, is Love. Our call is to be that presence of love to others according to our various life circumstances.
Mantra: Quiet my Soul by Monica Brown, “Enflame Our Hearts”
Enflame our hearts, O God of Love.
May we be your light of love.
Enflame our hearts, O God of Love.
Let your love run deep in us.
Focus of our Prayer
The following reading is excerpts from Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s ”Parting Prescription for America” published in the Ft Wayne Gazette last Saturday.
As I traveled across America over two terms as Surgeon General, I’ve discovered something deeply disturbing: a sense of community has eroded for too many of us, with alarming consequences. …. Driven by the desire to understand more about what’s missing and its consequences in people’s lives, I spoke with thousands of people …. With every conversation, I saw the stakes more clearly: the fracturing of community in America is driving a deeper spiritual crisis that threatens our fundamental well-being. It is fueling not only illness and despair on an individual level, but also pessimism and distrust across society which have all made it painfully difficult to rise together in response to common challenges. Through my work over two terms as Surgeon General, I saw that the answer to “What’s missing?” is simple, yet profound: community. The loss of community has become one of the defining challenges of our time. So, what makes community possible? Three core elements: relationships, service, and purpose. And one core virtue: love. Together, they create the ecosystem of meaning and belonging that are essential for fulfillment. Relationships, service, and purpose are the time-tested triad of fulfillment that stands in contrast to wealth, fame, and power which define the modern-day triad of success. …. To build community requires love. Love not as sentimentality, but as a commanding force with the power to build, strengthen, and heal. Love as generosity and kindness. Love as hope and grace. Love as courage.
Silent Reflection
Today, we are faced with a profound choice. Do we continue with the status quo, marked by pain, disconnection, and division? Or do we choose a different path—one of joy, health, and fulfillment where we turn toward each other instead of away from each other, where we choose love over fear, where we recognize community as the irreplaceable foundation for our well-being.
… America and the world need a new generation of community builders. A generation defined not by age but by spirit—by a fierce, unyielding commitment to each other and a clear-eyed, full-hearted recognition that we are kin, not enemies and that we fundamentally need each other. … It is up to us to reject the pessimism and animosity of our time and instead choose courage and hope. The choice we make to build community has the power to change lives and transform society. Let us never forget that good people with hearts full of love can change the world.
Silent Reflection
Intercessions
For those who feel alone and that they have no one who is there for them, we pray.
For those who are treated rudely or disrespected or even harmed at work, school, home, or in their Community, we pray.
For first responders in the California fires, and for all who are reaching out to friends, neighbors and family in their great need, we pray.
For those who are volunteering and giving financial support to those who have lost their homes, business and schools, we pray.
For a spiritual renewal in our country and a healing of racism, indifference and hatred toward those with a different religion or ethnic background, we pray:
Silent Reflection
Mantra
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