Radical Community

Yesterday I went to visit my father and to go with him for his first appointment with the oncologist (cancer specialist). That's an unnerving experience, to say the least. Though heart disease and diabetes are greater health problems in America by far, cancer still has the edge when it comes to 'fright factor.' Just the word makes us feel dread. The tension built up in the three of us; Mom, Dad, and me. What would Dr. Patel say? What is Dad facing in terms of treatment? That's the other thing with a cancer diagnosis. Sometimes the treatment looks as bad as the disease! As it turns out, before a prognosis can be offered or a treatment regimen suggested, there are some more tests the physician wants, so we did not really get answers to our questions. So, now there is more waiting, which adds to the tension.

There was a bright spot of encouragement in the day, however, which I want to share with you. I apologize for the long run-up, but the point needs a context. When my parents moved to Pennsylvania in March of 2006, I was not too happy about their decision to be that far away, in case of the very kind of circumstances that they are dealing with right now. But God had a different plan which became even more clear to me yesterday.

Dad is a friendly guy who feels the need to talk to everybody he meets. In the area where they now live there are many members of the Old Order Mennonite sect as well as the Amish; groups that to outsiders seem indistinguishable. Both groups reject much of the modern world, living without phones, electricity in their homes, automobiles, or computers. They dress plainly in homemade clothing, live simply, and most distinctive of all - practice radical communal living. They are tightly knit groups that few in the world outside really know. As the Lord would have it, Dad has found a 'home' with these groups. He has become a friend of many and they have reached out care for him and his family.

Last night, 'round 7 PM, there was a knock at the door. There stood about an extended family of Old Order Mennonites; straw brimmed hats, overalls, and plain dresses. There were about 12 adults and several little children. Jason, one of the young men in the family, has been doing some work for Dad and knew of his illness. So he rallied his family to give what they could! They asked if they might come in and lift up Gerald (they are a very formal people, too) with songs. They gathered around the dining room table and opened their hymnals. For a little over an hour, they sang without accompaniment, in simple harmonies, songs about heaven and hope! They communally gave my parents (and me!) a great big hug. These strangers touched my heart so deeply that even as I type these words the tears fall from my eyes! What a simple gift, but powerful, amazingly powerful!! These people know the meaning of love that is beyond sentiment. They don't send a card or flowers, they bring themselves. I realized the genius of their form of Christianity. It's not about hats, home made dresses, or horse drawn buggies. Those things are attempts to maintain their distinct lifestyle of radical community. They cannot live with any illusions of independence. They cannot survive without depending on each other. And, now they are giving that love and support to my parents, who are not even 'in' their group!

Incidentally, another Amish man showed a similar love to my father yesterday. Mr. Stauffer takes care of trimming the hooves on Dad's horses. He came by to do that work about 3. He knocked on the door and asked to see Gerald (again, that formal thing). He was so gracious. Two hours later, after he had finished his work, he came back to the house and when Dad went to make payment, the man said, "No, this is my time to give to you." He refused payment for his services. Obviously, he isn't a rich man by any stretch of imagination, but he understands the meaning of caring, sharing in love.

Believer, I am not suggesting that we all need to go back to farming, sell our cars, and try return to the 17th century. But, we do need to recapture the radical love that is the heart of Christian faith. Jesus' words, "all men will know that you are my disciples by your love for each other," took on a whole new meaning for me last night.

Here's a word from the Word. Let the Spirit speak to you today. I hope you will join me in asking Him how we can better become a radical community of love, so that we may demonstrate the truth of the Gospel to those who live around us.

" My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him.

Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us." (1 John 3:18-24, The Message)