Daily Reflection -- November 8, 2006

Building upon his vision of community, Paul continues to put before us how challenging it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ, the God who humbled himself to save the whole community. In Paul's community the individualism -- so prevalent even in our Church and/or parish communities -- does not find any acceptance. Again, for Paul there is the biblical view that we make our way to God TOGETHER.

We live in a highly critical society -- just reflect on the election charges and counter charges of the last several month. Sit in on a parish meeting; consider conversations around dining room tables; recall conversations after a liturgy or over the back fence (if they exist any longer). We are a society inclined to grumble about one another and usually anyone who has some responsibility in or over our lives. How about the coffee room or water fountain at work?

Psychologists and even St. Paul recognize that behavior to be nothing more than pride. This is nothing more than trying to place oneself above others, above the community.

Paul, in today's verses, reminds his readers that they are "like lights in the world." You and I, we are the lights of Christ to the world. You and I, together, are called to be signs to the world. And what signs are we to be: signs that as a community, we seek to be men and women who offer an alternative lifestyle to a society attempting to drive all people to be selfish, seeking our own desires above all else.