“‘The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes

and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’

So I went there and washed and was able to see.’

...they were afraid of the Jews, 

for the Jews had already agreed 

that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,

he would be expelled from the synagogue.

...They ridiculed him and said, 

‘You are that man's disciple;

we are disciples of Moses!’

...They answered and said to him,

‘You were born totally in sin,

and are you trying to teach us?’

Then they threw him out.”

Who’s in and who’s out? This idea of connection versus exclusion finds it’s roots in the theological concept of communio, or communion: the vertical aspect of our communion is with God and the horizontal one is with all members of the human race, our sisters and brothers, and, in fact, all of creation. We celebrate this communio in the Church through the sacrament of Christ’s body and blood, the Eucharist, which is consummated in our reception of the Eucharistic species, the body and blood of Christ, of communion. 

We embody this communio when we go out to those in need and bring mercy, healing, and love. Sometimes, in our love for Christ in the Church and the Eucharist, we can unintentionally become focused just on ourselves, especially when we are in need. We can become an exclusive club for those who meet the right criteria, but those who don’t are left out. We can sometimes focus on our needs and just making our insiders happy—the country club model of church. We must always go out. 

To be a parish that fosters connection to God and others, that is an evangelizing community, we have to get over the elevation of our own preferences and take action to extend God’s love. This is messy, untidy, and uncomfortable. Everything isn’t neat, crisp, and smartly packaged. Sinners, doubters, and the wounded, marginalized, lonely, troubled, and rowdy are invited in. Pope Francis said, “I see the church as a field hospital after battle. It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars. You have to heal his wounds. Then we can talk about everything else.”

While initially referring to priests, Pope Francis later extended the analogy to all who share the good news of God’s love, that they should “take on the ‘smell of the sheep’ and the sheep are willing to hear their voice. An evangelizing community is also supportive, standing by people at every step of the way, no matter how difficult or lengthy this may prove to be. It is familiar with patient expectation and apostolic endurance.” No matter how messy, difficult, or uncomfortable, everybody’s in. 

Our church should be bruised, hurting, and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy and weak from being confined and from clinging to its own security. Our call is to encounter, engage, and journey with others. It is to be in communion. Be guided by the humble yet joyful confidence of those who have been found, healed, and transformed by the light who is Christ. He, and he alone, is our vision.