Why is community such an important part of being Catholic? Can’t I just go to church and be a good Catholic on my own?
We live so alone today. In the book Bowling Alone, social scientist Robert Putnam expresses his concern that in the last 50 years we have experienced an unprecedented collapse in civic, social, associational, and political life with some rather serious negative consequences. He cites as an example that there are more bowlers today but fewer bowling leagues, because everybody is “bowling alone.”
From a purely scientific viewpoint, Putnam says that our rugged individualism and some of our habits such as watching TV rather than sharing face time around the dinner table, has undermined what he calls our “social capital:” the product of communal activity and community sharing (and his book was written before the smart phone!).
His research shows that social bonds are by far the most powerful predictor of life satisfaction. Social capital is also a strong predictor of personal health. If you both smoke and belong to no groups, it’s a close call as to which is the riskier behavior. Clinically measured depression has increased ten-fold in our country over the past 50 years, and although the origins of this epidemic are not yet clear, the prime candidate is social isolation. The loss of social capital is reflected in higher crime rates, lower educational performance, dysfunctional democracy, more teen pregnancy, and incidents of suicide.
Jesus was no fool. He knows us better than we know ourselves and knows our needs better than we do. Human beings are designed by God to find joy in being with one another. Without each other, we shrivel and become very unhappy, confused and unfulfilled people. We become disconnected from God and one another. Through our collaboration and communal celebrations we are building the Kingdom of God here on earth, one relationship at a time.
A story: A theologian died and went to the pearly gates, where St. Peter welcomed him warmly. Though eager to enter heaven, he had a request. He said “As a theologian I’ve often speculated on the essential difference between heaven and hell. Before I go in, could I have a glimpse of hell, just to satisfy my curiosity?" St. Pete said "Of course!” and took him to a great banquet hall. Wash basins and grooming supplies were located around the perimeter. At the center was a banquet table loaded with the finest in food and drink. But the people milling around the great hall were naked, dirty, unshaven, and emaciated. They were clearly starving.
Shocked, the theologian asked, "What’s wrong? Why are they like this?" St. Peter said, "They have no elbows. They can grab the food, but they can’t get it to their mouth. Neither can they wash, dress themselves, cut or comb their hair, shave, or scratch where it itches. Just try to do any of those things without bending your arms!"
"How horrible! Please, show me heaven" he said and St. Peter whisked him to another banquet hall identical to the first. The room and food were the same. But the people were handsomely dressed, immaculately groomed, well fed and happy. The sounds of singing, conversation, and laughter filled the room.
"So, the difference between heaven and hell is…elbows?" the theologian asked incredulously.
"No," said St. Pete, "they don’t have elbows here either. The difference is that here, everyone takes care of each other. They wash each other, dress each other, and feed each other. They scratch each other where it itches. You don’t need elbows in heaven. The people that come here have learned to accept their interdependence. People can go to hell all by themselves, but they never go to heaven alone, but as a community.
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