The library is chock full of folks cranking out material on the work station computers. Yesterday, intense faces were focused screenward in dramatic focused fashion. In the side rooms, groups were putting finishing touches (we hope!) on projects to submit. The usual banter was at a low ebb. Fewer phones were going on off. The conversation seemed to hush. We’re talking serious work, here, folks. Working on to finish the semester!
And what about next week? Not many were openly thinking about that, but we know the end is coming and next week will be here. One student articulated the anxiety by noting, “I can’t make plans for Christmas break! I’ve got to finish this paper and exam.”
Next week will come, and if my suspicions hold true, Santa will show up on schedule, someone will make Christmas dinner, and life will go on. The healing process of the semester’s whirlwind end will begin to take shape. Old communities will shift, and new ones will form. Some of our lab partners and folks we got to know because of schedule will move on for the same reason—schedule.
Community building, disengagement, and rebuilding is part of the faithful life. While community can take many forms, it is always present. There are no complete loners in the authentic Christian religious world.
Wednesday night at 8:00 PM at Von Maur’s entrances, there will be another opportunity to shift from one community and build another. The wider community of Omaha is invited to join the mayor and the Nebraska Historical Society, to carefully take down the snowflakes and remembrances in such a way so that they can be preserved.
This is a healthy activity for individuals , families and groups. It builds the larger community, and recognizes the connection to the one broken by a shooter. We take stock in ourselves and our beliefs, our hopes and our dreams. This is the stuff of humanity. It will be a good time to be together.
Let’s plan to be there. If there’s energy, time and interest, we’ll hit the food court for dessert after.
Luke 5:8 and following—on creating new community
But when Simon Peter saw it,(the big fish catch and near sinking of the boat) he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.
A similar event takes place in 5:27:
After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up, left everything, and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them.
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