There is something elemental and compelling about communities of people who help one another to grow into all that they were created to be. Where each person is as committed to the other’s flourishing and to the flourishing of the whole. Where the members are willing to sacrifice their own comfort and even lives for the sake of the other. I believe we humans are created with a homing device that begins to hum and light up when we see individuals and communities driven by self-giving love.

Beloved community established in love should be one of the basic tenets of faith. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22: 37–39). Jesus welcomed people into a countercultural, self-giving community of love with God at the center.  Hold out for the robust and uncompromising vision of God’s kingdom of love. For us, it’s a dream. For God, it’s reality.  We should be striving and praying that God will reshape us in the image of God’s beloved community. If not now, when?