As we seek to grow in faith, we need each other.
This idea that we need each other in faith is observed and communicated time and again:
- “No man is an island.”
- “We are all radically incomplete. And we need each other.” Timothy Radcliffe at the October, 2023 Synod in Rome.
- A person of faith who I admire wrote: “we all need to have encouragement and some checks & balances from other seekers in regard to our experiences, otherwise we can fall into despair, or begin to believe that our own experience is the fullest measure of truth, which is dangerous.”
- Etc.
We learn in faith from faith leaders – pastors, book authors, etc. We also learn from one another.
Sometimes, there is a desire to go it alone in our faith:
- “I am independent. I am capable of learning. I know my conscience – I will find a faith path that suits my conscience and my lifestyle. I will grow in faith by sitting home alone reading books on spirituality.”
- Sometimes, people variously add….. “I don’t like our current pastor at church…” Or, “I don’t care for organized religion…”
- Perhaps: “I will supplement faith reading by going on nature walks or going to occasional conferences or retreats.”
- “I have an active prayer life. I will allow God to direct my life. It’s ‘me and God.'”
- “Of course, I will work continually be a better person.”
In fact, we need each other. The email I quoted above goes on to say, “we need each other, and I believe that God designed us that way.” Even hermits at monasteries have occasional contact with the other members of their monastic communities!
Christ was asked, “Which of the commandments is greatest?” He responded, ““Love God and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:34-40). Loving your neighbor, of course, involves generosity of spirit to the people in our lives and supporting people who need support – it involves us interacting with one another, being in community.
Faith communities provide just that – communities where our faith is nurtured, where we hold ourselves to account, where we support the faith growth of our fellow faith travelers, and where we learn to more fully love our neighbor. Within such a context, small group faith sharing provides distinct and useful opportunities to learn and grow in faith, to support our fellow faith travelers. Local faith communities – churches, topic-specific communities such as prayer-based organizations, etc. – often provide small group settings ranging from Bible studies to prayer groups, life-stage groups (young adults, moms, retirees, etc.), topic-specific learning communities, and service activities (cleaning the parish, feeding the homeless, etc.). Please feel welcome to look up and join a faith sharing small group in your community.
Kim Burkhardt blogs at A Parish Catechist and The Books of the Ages (and a member of the Association of Catholic Publishers). If you are a new visitor, it would be great to have you follow this blog (thank you!). If you know someone who would like this blog, please share it with them (thank you!).
