Becoming Community: Biblical Meditations and Applications in Modern Life

by Karl A. Schultz

Explores the nature of community and interpersonal relationships as revealed in Sacred Scripture. This title guides readers in reflecting on particular passages from both the Old and New Testaments... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1565482697
• ISBN13: 9781565482692
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: New City Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.4" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Packed with Possibilities

Karl Schultz is one of the leading writers and teachers of lectio divina, which he defines in his introduction as "a way of communicating with God, self, and neighbor, (that) ultimately advances community spirituality." Becoming Community is based on passages from the Old and New testaments with meditations that focus on family and parish life, illustrate the diverse biblical understanding of community, and lend to lectio divina ("holy reading"). The author illustrates the practice of lectio throughout the book and provides detailed guidelines in the appendix. As the following example shows, the meditations are packed with possibilities for individual reflection, prayer, and action. Schultz begins the section on the communal dimension of faith and forgiveness with the story of Jesus' healing of the paralytic (Mk 2:1-12). He summarizes the passage's aspects of community with five points: (1) The paralytic's escorts and Jesus go the extra mile. (2) Jesus is influenced by the faith of the paralytic's supporters. (3) Men and women have different but complementary capacities for outreach. (4) It is our nature to resist Jesus' deeper intentions. (5) Healing the soul is more important than relieving bodily suffering. Schultz observes that while we cannot always be the Good Samaritan, we can support those who are. One of the reflection questions in this section asks, "Am I willing to serve in accordance with the situation and needs manifested rather than impose my preferences?"

Love God - Love One Another: Community Becomes Us

In response to a query as to the first of all the commandments, Jesus identified the two Great Commandments, reducing to a few words the meaning, purpose, and goal of human existence: to love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (cf. Mk 12:28-34). We are thus called to be loving and responsible citizens of the heavenly Kingdom, in community with God and with each other, even on earth. Redeemed by grace yet mired in pride and selfishness, human beings struggle to respond to the elegant simplicity of these commandments. So simply stated; so hard to live! "Becoming Community: Biblical Meditations and Applications in Modern Life" is reminiscent of the words of Simon Peter in the gospel discourse on the the Eucharist, the "bread of life," the ultimate expression of community. Karl A. Schultz understands that, in order to restore and abide in that original community of love intended by the Creator, we must harken to the "words of eternal life" (cf. Jn 6:68). In his books, talks, and retreats, Schultz teaches and encourages his audience to discern God's will via the timeless and natural process of lectio divina ("holy reading"). In "Becoming Community," "[e]mpowered by the Spirit" and the community of persons which has assisted him in his journey, Schultz shares his "values, spirituality, experience, and expertise." In strokes both broad and fine, he applies the various colors of Scripture with the brush of lectio to the canvas of life. In the remarkably comprehensive and concise yet personal style that typifies his writing, Schultz contemplates so much of what binds us to and divides us from God and one another. Then, he invites us, through incisive and provocative questions, to bring the word of God into our own lives - to become community. The practical applications for this work are far reaching. The detailed Contents pages reveal springboards for individual, couple, family, and group lectio. As in all of Schultz's work, the reader will find instructions for individual and group lectio divina in the text. Each chapter presents opportunities to illuminate with biblical insights the whole range of human relationships - with God, with ourselves, with our friends and loved ones, with our immediate communities, and even among nations. I have already used it to great effect doing group lectio with parents of Confirmation candidates, helping to involve them more intimately in their children's preparation to receive the last sacrament of initiation into the community of the Mystical Body of Christ. "Becoming Community" shows how, guided by the Spirit, who is Love, such communities may multiply their blessings and divide their trials, and thereby build up the Kingdom of God on earth.