“I was asked: ‘Since some people keep themselves much apart from others, and most of all like to be alone, and since it is in this and in being in church that they find peace, would that be the best thing to do?’ Then I said, ‘ No! and see why not!’ If all is well with a man, then truly, wherever he may be, whomever he may be with, it is well with him. But if things are not right with him, then everywhere and with everybody it is all wrong with him. If it is well with him, truly he has God with him. But whoever really and truly has God, he has him everywhere, in the street and in company with everyone, just as much as in church or in solitary places or in his cell. … That man carries God in his every work and in every place, and it is God alone who performs all the man’s works, for whoever causes the work, to him it belongs more properly and truly than it does to the one who performs it. …”
Meister Eckhart, Counsels on Discernment

This, I would suggest, points to what makes our being-in-community truly Christian, namely, centered in Christ–reflecting the life of God. May God help each of us toward this end.

Your post leaves me wondering, though, whether community must be religious in order for this relationship to be most meaningful. You point out myriad options for Christians seeking community, and of course there are many of these in most areas, but your examples are all religious, and more specifically Christian, in nature. I’d be interested in hearing your take on the role that these overtly religious communities play more specifically, and how they might differ from, say, the community of your local neighborhood, or your workplace, etc. For most Christians, I imagine their church communities overlap a great deal with such other kinds of local community, but those of minority religions (such as myself) might have to travel hours to the nearest gathering of fellow practitioners. It seems to me that, while in-person relationship with those of the same religion is very important, the immediate local community of your daily life must hold a prominent place. I practice my Druidry much more often through the ethics and attitudes I embody in the workplace, than on those rare occasions when I have the chance to perform overtly religious ritual with other Druids. And surely, the Christian doesn’t reserve her service for those of her faith alone, or only wash the feet of those who attend the same Bible study as she does!

You are right. While Community appears to be antithetical to Mysicism, the two are inexorably entertwined. As much as I like a simply said and intimate mass, I admit that I get impatient at the more elaborate masses that seem ponderous, with the somtimes lame and often repeated sermons. Some sermons actually energize me, some services are consistent, others are all over the place.

I know I can count on my own stillness to be the gateway to my relationship to the Holy Trinity.

I still believe we need community because none of us holds all the pieces of the Christian spirituality. We each of us pray for those and hold those up who do not hold our piece, and vice versa.

We have to realize that surrender also means being willing to depend on others, trust that the greater community actually binds us and makes us holy, as you said.

This is a point with which I have struggled in my studies and mystical understandings and practice. In the end a true mystic is humble, willing to surrender to the lower self, and can still participate and contribute to the community. Padre Pio comes to mind. What a great example to illustrate this point!

Bill