Paul encouraged believers to help one another within the church and to help beyond the church to all people. Read Galatians 6:7-10. Following Jesus means including people who have been neglected by mainstream society. Jesus specifically treated women as equal to men by acknowledging them as disciples, which was unheard of in his day. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, which was more than just having a meal. It meant that he included them in his circle while other religious leaders refused to let them be a part of their lives. Jesus touched a leper, which was not only morally frowned upon, but it was against the law. Jesus called us to follow him. When we respond to the invitation of Jesus, the goal is to be like Jesus. If we want to be like Jesus, we must include the least desired people in our circle. Jesus even emphasized this concept with the parable of the goats and sheep. He told us that when we feed the hungry, visit those in prison, and care for those who are sick, we are doing it as if we are doing it for Jesus. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples learned to leave their comfort zones and reach the people who were out of the circle. Peter went to the house of a Roman soldier and shared the gospel. Paul traveled throughout the Roman Empire and shared the gospel with women, Roman soldiers, idol worshipers, and anyone else who would listen. When he wrote to the Galatians, he encouraged them to help two categories of people. The first encouragement was to help one another within the church. But we can’t stop by just helping each other. The second encouragement is that we must go beyond the walls of the church and help the community. We must be willing to include the neglected and marginalized of our community. The mission of the church is to go and make disciples of Jesus Christ to transform the world. What a joy it is to see lives being transformed when Christians follow Jesus to make a difference in their community!

Prayer For Community by Richard Rohr:

“Loving God, you fill all things with a fullness and hope that we can never comprehend. Thank you for leading us into a time where more of reality is being unveiled for us all to see. We pray that you will take away our natural temptation for cynicism, denial, fear, and despair. Help us have the courage to awaken to greater truth, greater humility, and greater care for one another. May we place our hope in what matters and what lasts, trusting in your eternal presence and love. Listen to our hearts’ longings for the healing of our suffering world. Please add your own intentions . . . Knowing, good God, you are hearing us better than we are speaking, we offer these prayers in all the holy names of God. Amen.”