Building and Living in Community in God’s Kingdom, by Joy Peyton

Joy Peyton is a CFO’er from Virginia, USA and regularly attends ShrineMont CFO in USA, Zone 7. She  is a member of the CFO International Board and the Advisory Council Ring of CFO North America. Joy shares with us today a message about community. 

In Matthew 5:1-12, The Beatitudes, Jesus describes how we are to live, not only as inhabitants of this world, but as inhabitants of God’s kingdom, who are living in community with others on this earth. Let’s take a moment to reflect on this familiar passage of scripture. May we hear it with new ears today. 

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

In light of the passage we have just read, let’s take a moment to think and pray about what CFO calls ‘Kingdom Living’ and living in community in God’s Kingdom. Father Richard Rohr, Director of the Center for Action and Contemplation, recently wrote:

“In an ideal sense, a community is a safe place. By protecting and nurturing the dignity of its members, the community is sustained even when challenged by external forces. Working together in faith, communities bring new life, hope, and dignity to individual lives and larger groups. In this context, renewed Christians are called to exercise a prophetic role. True prophecy is based on a prophetic lifestyle. It is this new lifestyle—this new way of relating with persons, goods, institutions, and God—that is itself an arresting alternative to the ways of the world. Deep bonds often form during times of crisis, loss, and uncertainty; people seek solidarity and a sense of community in human connection. (Tuesday, June 20, 2020)

The Covid-19 virus is a worldwide pandemic and far from the only source of unrest. One could say we are in a time of crisis. In times like these it can be hard to process everything we see and hear. That is why, for now, we turn to quiet reflection, prayer, and some questions. Sometimes simply sitting with the questions is the first step we need to open our hearts and minds to the voice of God. The following questions are offered for your quiet meditation. Perhaps they will lead somewhere in the upcoming weeks and months. Time will tell. For now, as CFO Sings #113 says, “My God and I go in the field together…”  

Questions for Us to Consider:
What new communities and associations are being formed right now?
What new communities and associations am I a part of?
What are key features of strong community?

–Kinship, being together, affirming and supporting one another; being generous
–A sense of love and empathy for everyone involved
–Meaningful and creative experiences between people
–Shared vision of justice and flourishing for all, including those who are marginalized, struggling, and overlooked.
–What are some other key features?

How will these communities and associations grow in the months and years ahead?
What lifestyle changes and prophetic actions am I/are we being called to during this time?
Who am I/are we willing and able to work with?

Let’s take just a moment to remember what CFO is about…

“Camps Farthest Out is based on the knowledge and the belief that society is a living whole, and must become conscious of this wholeness and integrate as a whole, or it will never be at rest. Moreover, this consciousness and this integration must come from within or it will rot and die.” – Glenn Clark

Let us pray together: A Prayer for the Social Order, by T.J. Rutledge Beale (Included in Songs of the Souls of Men, by Glenn Clark, 1933)

A PRAYER FOR THE SOCIAL ORDER:
Send us forth to be builders of a better world.