Community

In the past several weeks, a large number of common dolphins have beached along the southern shore of Cape Cod in Massachusetts.    Scientists are calling it the largest beaching by a single species in the history of the region.  More than 100 have died.  Scientists are stumped as to why so many dolphins are swimming so dangerously close to shore.   But, they do understand why they tend to beach in groups.   Dolphins are very social animals and when one of them gets into trouble, they stick together.   Their social bond is so strong that they would even abandon the waters that give them life for the sake of staying with one another.

Dolphins are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet, and we humans, especially those of us who bear the name Christian, can learn a lot from them.  God has called us as a people, a community, a body.   The Eucharistic liturgy bonds us together.  It strengthens us so that we too, like the dolphins, can stay with one another in good times and bad, even to the point of dying.  This is because the Eucharist is a commemoration of the God whose social bond is so strong that he sent his son Jesus, to be with us in good times and in bad, even to the point of dying. 

Lent is upon us.  As we anticipate the waters of new life at Easter, may we, like the dolphins, be willing to leave the waters of our own comfort in order to die a little, with and for each other, for the life of the world.  Amen!