What kind of life are we meant to do together?

We are meant to do life together. To accept and pursue this purpose however, we must examine our assumptions.

What kind of togetherness are we meant to have? Localities are not often healed by gangs or clubs or networks of people who use their togetherness in order to loot neighbors and promote locked doors. A togetherness of meanness does not offer the hospitable grace our individual dignity warrants and requires.

A togetherness of misdirected tolerance doesn't suit us either however. It does no good for the child to tolerate her walking out into the street while cars are coming, even if that child really wants to. Even if that child will trantrum-cry if the baby-sitter should find the courage to say with all love and the experience of wisdom, "no." A togetherness of this kind of tolerance, is misguided because it celebrates disrespect to those who must endure it, as if the enduring one's are foolish about what is wise and hospitable, and implies that the tantrum-thrower possesses true wisdom. The wolfish one is allowed to roam free to bite and devour the rest.

A togetherness of meanness and a togetherness of misguided tolerance both have this one thing in common. They use community to demean or destroy persons, including themselves. These groups share geographical space but they know only the kind of togetherness that folly can provide.

Togetherness is meant to create a hospitable place for each individual to safely dismantle their folly and steadily find what is wise and good for their comings and goings. Folly is not meant to rule nor provide the entertainment for our evenings.

Jesus invites us into relationship with others. He leads us to do life together. But for togetherness to last, what kind of life must we do? His footsteps and teachings show us the way.