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I’m taking a seminary course on American theology in the 21st century and we are reading the book, “The Long Loneliness” by Dorothy Day. Just the title “The Long Loneliness” speaks volumes and when we hear those words, I think we can all think of times in our lives where we felt that way. We can feel as if we are in a season of long loneliness. In a world filled with people we can feel more alone than anyone may think. When we are feeling this way, the darkness of the loneliness can block us from seeing a way out, seeing a brighter future, seeing hope.
Toward the end of the book Day comes to the conclusion that community is the answer to the long loneliness. Day says, “The only answer in this life, to the loneliness we are all bound to feel, is community. The living together, working together, sharing together, loving God and loving our brother, and living close to him in community so we can show our love for Him.” Dorothy Day really describes here what I think community should be. A community should be people working together, sharing together, loving god and loving our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we can better show our love for God.
With all that has been going on in the world it has felt increasingly difficult to stay connected to the communities that we are in. Online worship has been so wonderful to keep us connected and now we begin again having face to face worship with safety precautions. Community needs connection to stay together. Whether you are connecting via computer, phone or face to face it is important to not only keep yourself connected but to invite others into the community of faith as well.
Be the light that shines into the long loneliness that someone is experiencing and give the gift of community, care and love. As it says in Hebrews 13:1-3, “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” We are called to action in helping others to find their way out of the long loneliness and help to bring them into a beautiful community of love.
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