Community
A community is loosely defined as, “a unified body of individuals” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). More specifically, it is “a group of people with a common characteristic or interest” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Communities differ in size and type and can include such things as certain cultures, towns, or schools. In today’s global society, however, communities no longer require people to even live in proximity to each other. A prevalent example of this type of community is that of the worldwide Church. While one usually assumes that their community consists of those who attend the same church as them, it actually consists of the Catholic Church as a whole and even non-members as well. It is important to include everyone in an equal share of God’s love and feeling of inclusion.
The Church is one very important form of community that extends worldwide. According to Himes and Himes, “race, nationality, class, gender, even space and time pose no limitations within the shared life of people” (Himes and Himes 164). All people are, therefore, members of the body of Christ and have a deep relationship with Christ, as well as with other fellow believers. The communion of saints is therefore a community, as it is all of the members of the Catholic Church, both living and deceased. Its members are connected to one another with their union in God, which serves as a common characteristic to form a community (Himes and Himes 163). Everyone who is part of this community has the responsibility to promote the “spiritual well-being” of the others (Himes and Himes 165).
It is also important to remember, however, that the community extends even beyond those who are active members of the Church. There must be solidarity with non-members as well. Even though the communion of saints is a community of all of those in union with God, it is inclusive towards everyone. This community includes, “not only strangers, but enemies, those of different races and religions” (Himes and Himes 164). The community is also inclusive towards members of different nationalities, social classes, and genders (Himes and Himes 164). Therefore, everyone is welcome to be a part of the communion of saints, and members of the communion of saints must reach out to non-members.
The topic of community relates to sweatshops in a variety of ways. The most significant way, however, is that it teaches the important of the inclusion of everyone in the body of Christ. This means that the impoverished workers in the sweatshops of third world countries are also considered to be members of the community of the Christ. It is, therefore, obvious that people must work to correct the terrible conditions present in sweatshops and help restore the human dignity these people have lost. This shows that the people of the Church community must work to include others and not to “actively treat or passively abandon” others who are nonmembers. They must learn to be “self-donative” and “give [themselves] away to others” (Himes and Himes 174) in order to achieve true justice for all by inviting everyone to join in their community.
In conclusion, community is a very important aspect of life. While there are many different types of communities, one significant one is the Church. The Church teaches us to include both members and non-members in the community of Christ. This shows that everyone has a share in the love of Christ and it is important to spread that love to all, including the poor and downtrodden sweatshop workers.
The Church is one very important form of community that extends worldwide. According to Himes and Himes, “race, nationality, class, gender, even space and time pose no limitations within the shared life of people” (Himes and Himes 164). All people are, therefore, members of the body of Christ and have a deep relationship with Christ, as well as with other fellow believers. The communion of saints is therefore a community, as it is all of the members of the Catholic Church, both living and deceased. Its members are connected to one another with their union in God, which serves as a common characteristic to form a community (Himes and Himes 163). Everyone who is part of this community has the responsibility to promote the “spiritual well-being” of the others (Himes and Himes 165).
It is also important to remember, however, that the community extends even beyond those who are active members of the Church. There must be solidarity with non-members as well. Even though the communion of saints is a community of all of those in union with God, it is inclusive towards everyone. This community includes, “not only strangers, but enemies, those of different races and religions” (Himes and Himes 164). The community is also inclusive towards members of different nationalities, social classes, and genders (Himes and Himes 164). Therefore, everyone is welcome to be a part of the communion of saints, and members of the communion of saints must reach out to non-members.
The topic of community relates to sweatshops in a variety of ways. The most significant way, however, is that it teaches the important of the inclusion of everyone in the body of Christ. This means that the impoverished workers in the sweatshops of third world countries are also considered to be members of the community of the Christ. It is, therefore, obvious that people must work to correct the terrible conditions present in sweatshops and help restore the human dignity these people have lost. This shows that the people of the Church community must work to include others and not to “actively treat or passively abandon” others who are nonmembers. They must learn to be “self-donative” and “give [themselves] away to others” (Himes and Himes 174) in order to achieve true justice for all by inviting everyone to join in their community.
In conclusion, community is a very important aspect of life. While there are many different types of communities, one significant one is the Church. The Church teaches us to include both members and non-members in the community of Christ. This shows that everyone has a share in the love of Christ and it is important to spread that love to all, including the poor and downtrodden sweatshop workers.
