5 May 2018
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Belonging is one of the most basic human needs there is. At some point we have all wondered if we would be accepted by others. But Jesus tells us that, as Christians, we should not look to the world for that acceptance. He is quite clear: “You do not belong to the world” (Jn. 15:19). Jesus’ love is all-consuming, and for the world, that is a deal-breaker. We live in the world, we are leaven for the world, but we should not expect to have belonging with the world.
If we cannot experience true belonging in the world, it is all the more important that we maintain bonds of fellowship with one another. As fellow Christians, we must be sources of support for one another. We must bear with one another in our weaknesses, encourage one another in our struggles, and rejoice with one another in our triumphs. We see on a regular basis how we do not belong in the world. So we must make sure to help those around us see that they do belong in the Body of Christ, the Church.