Service Creates Community

This is a picture of the mosaic that my middle school Service Learning Club members and I did a couple years ago. Right now, I am listening to a series of talks about living a life of ministry in the city, the message of which reminded me of this mosaic.

So I go back to my photo album, and suddenly the message seems more revolutionary than trite. Serving the community out of the love of Christ IS what creates community. Beyond all social and communal norms, it must be sought. And when community is established, life change and rebirth is given a medium to spread like wild fire. Turns out my middles school students were a bunch of revolutionaries.

Here is the prayer we included on the mosaic. I think it speaks for itself.

The Prayer for the Farm Workers Struggle

-Cesar Chavez


Show me the suffering of the most miserable;
So I will know my people's plight.

Free me to pray for others;

For you are present in every person.

Help me take responsibility for my own life;

So that I can be free at last.

Grant me courage to serve others;

For in service there is true life.

Give me honesty and patience;

So that the Spirit will be alive among us.

Let the Spirit flourish and grow;

So that we will never tire of the struggle.

Let us remember those who have died for justice;

For they have given us life.

Help us love even those who hate us;

So we can change the world

Amen