community
...se there were graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12 Is not this the word that we did tell there in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today, ye shall see them no more forever. So, however alone a member of a community may be, they still need some support. To increase their morale. To let them know how great they are. To let them know that they can do anything they will, as long as it's for the greater good. III. COMMUNITY IS SERVING A community serves each other. Each member has their own role, which they fulfill. As we all know, a community is interdependent with each other. A simple example of this is those who work for the barangay. Now, it is not a joke to be a kagawad or a barangay captain. They are risking their own lives for the safety of the people living in that community. Being 24/7 awake is no joke. For example, the kagawads may arrest those minors that are out in the night. That is dangerous job, knowing that it's a not-so-good world out there. But still, for the sake of serving the member of the community, they will still do their jobs, no matter what. The need of a "Serving Community" can be seen in the following bible passages: Mt. 20: 26-28 26 Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest, 27 and whoever wants to rank first must serve the needs of all. 28 Such is the case with the Son of Man who has come, not to be served by others, to give His own life as a ransom for many. Jn. 13: 5-8; 12-15) 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet and dry them with a towel he had around him. 6 Thus he came to Simon Peter who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered, "You may not realize now what I'm doing, but later you will understand." 8 Peter replied, "You shall never wash my feet!" "If I do not wash you," Jesus answered, "you will have no share in my heritage." 12 After he had washed their feet, he put their cloak back on and reclined at the table once more. He said to them: "Do you understand what I just did for you? 13 You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Lord' and fittingly enough, for that is what I am. 14 But if I washed your feet - I who am Teacher and Lord - then you must wash each other's feet. 15 What I just did was to give an example: as I have done, so must do" Jesus washed his disciples' feet. For the Jews, footwashing is a sign of hospitality. It is performed by the master's slave to welcome a dignitary to the house. It is really nice to leave in a community that knows how to be others-centered and doesn't just think of themselves. In plays a huge part in growing up. We can feel secure and comfortable with the place we live in if each member of the community may be of service to one another. IV. COMMUNITY IS LEARNING TOGETHER A community learns together. Not just in school, but also in the church. Just like what Jesus did when he taught the people how to pray and taught them the Lord's Prayer. Lk. 11: 2-4 2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven , Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, as in Heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. In school, we learn the basic knowledge we need as we grow older. But in the Church we learn things that would bring us closer to the Kingdom of God. Just like when Jesus told the people the following parables; THE PARABLE OF THE TREASURE AND THE PEARL (Mt 13: 44-46) 44 The reign of God is like a buried treasure which a man found in a field. He bid it again and rejoicing at his find went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 Or again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant's search for fine pearls. 46 When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it. Jesus is telling His disciples that once there is the opportunity to discover the Kingdom of God, we must not allow it to escape. PARABLE OF THE FISHING NET (Mt 13: 47-50) 47 The reign of God is also like a dragnet thrown into the lake, which collected all sorts of things. 48 When it was full they hauled it ashore and sat down to put what was worthwhile into containers. What was useless they threw away. 49 That is how it will be at the end of the world. Angels will go out and separate the wicked from the just 50 and hurl the wicked into the furnace, where they w...