Day 16: Created for Relationship

From the very beginning, God has shown that faith is not meant to be lived in isolation. When He gave the Ten Commandments to Israel, it wasn’t just for individuals but for a nation. God was forming a people who would live in right relationship with Him and with one another.

This truth confronts a modern misconception: that faith is purely private. Many people today say, “I can have faith on my own; I don’t need the Church.” While it is true that we can pray, read Scripture, and worship alone, it is incomplete. God designed us for community. Our faith only reaches its fullness when lived out with others in the Body of Christ.

The Church is not a sacramental “filling station” or a franchise - it is a community of believers, a visible sign of God’s love in the world. To belong to a parish, to share life with others, is not just a nice idea; it is essential for growing as disciples of Jesus.

Questions

• How do you view the role of community in your faith journey?
• What steps can you take to move from attending to belonging in your parish?