This general election has highlighted the state of our society in this country – the good things and the bad. Most people can point to things that are broken, and could be better. The politicians respond by talking about ‘Community Cohesion’ – it's a buzz word that is all about our sense of belonging and responsibility.
In past generations we as a nation felt that we belonged – to our street, to our town, to our place of work – and to our church. Nowadays all these things are wearing a bit thin. We hardly know our neighbours, we often work away from the town where we live, we’re more socially mobile, and most people don’t feel that they belong to a church.
Nevertheless, belonging is an important thing for each of us – we need to feel that we belong somewhere – even if it's to the local gym or fitness club.
For our church members, belonging to the community of faith is very important – you only have to read our ‘Who’s who’ page month by month show just how people appreciate belonging.
Unlike going to the gym or local pub, belonging to the body of the church means using the gifts and talents that God has given us. St. Paul writes about this in Romans chapter 12:
He tells us: “we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us.
If our gift is to speak God's message, we should do it according to the faith that we have; if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach; if it is to encourage others, we should do so.
Whoever shares with others should do it generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do it cheerfully. … Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion.”
In our churches some of us are using their gifts well – and often need some help. Some of us may lack confidence and need some help to have a go – to discover what gifts we have. And some of us may not be aware that our help and our gifts are needed
As we come to the feast of Pentecost this month, we will be thinking more about the work of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul was convinced that the Holy Spirit gives each of us different gifts – no question about it. We just need to discover them, and put them to good use, to build up the community we belong to.
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