CHAPTER XV ~ THE COMMONWEALTH OF GOD
CHAPTER XV ~ THE COMMONWEALTH OF GOD
From the Common Rule of the Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ
“A custom existed among the first generations of Christians, when faith was a bright fire that warmed more than those who kept it burning. In every house then a room was kept ready for any stranger who might ask for shelter; it was even called “the stranger’s room.” Not because these people thought they could trace something of someone they loved in the stranger who used it, not because the man or woman to whom they gave shelter reminded them of Christ, but because—plain and simple and stupendous fact—he or she was Christ.” -Dorothy Day
"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work." -Mother Teresa
“It is not from your own property that you give to the poor. Rather, you make return from what is theirs. For what has been given as common for the use of all, you have appropriated to yourself alone. The earth belongs to all, not to the rich. Therefore you are paying a debt, not bestowing a gift.” -St. Ambrose of Milan
“A rich person is either wicked himself or the beneficiary of someone else's wickedness.” -St. Jerome
The Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ is a community of believers that strives to live and make real the prayer our Lord Jesus Christ taught us in the Gospel of Saint Matthew 6:9-13.
“ Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
It is our goal to offer our lives as a living prayer “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” so that we may help manifest the Commonwealth of God, in which the values of the Kingdom are made real within our own lives, within our dispersed religious community, and throughout His creation.
We believe that our Christian calling to make this prayer real begins at our baptism where we become “citizens of heaven” in Philippians 3:20-21 How we are to behave as citizens of heaven after baptism is fleshed out and given witness to by St. Paul in the Acts of the Apostles 2:38-47.
The concept of the "Commonwealth of God" resonates throughout the scriptures, painting a vivid picture of a world transformed, where justice, peace, and love reign supreme. This vision transcends borders and societal structures, politics and national loyalties, offering a glimpse into a reality where God's will is fully realized and all beings flourish.
At the heart of the Commonwealth of God lies the unwavering commitment to justice and equality. This vision challenges societal inequalities and systems built on oppression, calling for a radical restructuring where the marginalized are empowered, the vulnerable are protected, and all individuals are recognized and valued regardless of their background or circumstances. In this realm, justice is not merely an abstract concept but a lived experience, manifested in fair treatment, equitable distribution of resources, and a society free from discrimination and prejudice.
The Commonwealth of God stands as a stark contrast to the violence and conflict that plague our world. This vision embodies a world where swords are beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks (Isaiah 2:4), where forgiveness replaces revenge, and reconciliation reigns over animosity. In this sanctuary, peace is not merely the absence of war, but a vibrant presence that permeates every aspect of life, fostering understanding, compassion, and a shared sense of humanity. The Commonwealth of God is not a utopia reserved for the chosen few. It is a community built on the bedrock of love and service, where individuals are driven not by self-interest but by the desire to uplift one another and contribute to the common good. This vision challenges the individualistic tendencies that dominate our world, urging a shift toward shared responsibility, collaboration, and a commitment to serving the needs of others. In this community, love transcends mere sentimentality, becoming the driving force behind actions that promote healing, growth, and collective wellbeing.
The Commonwealth of God is not merely a distant vision; it is a call to action, a blueprint for transforming the world around us. This vision holds particular significance for Christians, particularly those of us within the Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ, who dedicate our lives to embodying and furthering God's reign on earth.
The Coworkers of Christ with our emphasis on prayer, contemplation, and communal living, offer a glimpse into the possibilities of the Commonwealth of God. It is our vision, our hope, that our Community can serve as an example to the wider community at large of living in accordance with God's will, striving for justice, peace, and love. By creating spaces of equality, fostering forgiveness, and embracing a spirit of service, we pray that with God’s help we will stand as beacons of hope, demonstrating that the ideals of the Christianity and the Commonwealth of God are not mere abstractions but achievable realities.
The vision of the Commonwealth of God calls all Christians to a life of active transformation. This involves not only individual spiritual growth but also a commitment to engaging with the world and working towards social justice, peacebuilding, and the eradication of all forms of oppression. Christians are challenged to examine their own lives, identify areas where they contribute to societal structures and injustices, and actively work towards dismantling them.
The Commonwealth of God is not a destination to be reached but a journey to be undertaken. By embracing the principles of justice, peace, and love, Christians can begin to embody this vision in their own lives and contribute to the collective transformation of the world. Through acts of service, advocacy for the marginalized, and the promotion of understanding and reconciliation, individuals can become instruments of God's love and agents of positive change, working towards the realization of the Commonwealth of God here on earth.
The Commonwealth of God is not a utopian dream but a potent vision that holds the power to transform our world. By embracing this vision and dedicating ourselves to the pursuit of justice, peace, and love, Christians, particularly Coworkers of Christ, can play a critical role in shaping a world that reflects God's will and embodies the values of the Commonwealth of God. This journey requires constant reflection, unwavering commitment, and a willingness to collaborate with others to build a world where all beings can flourish in the presence of God's love.
As Coworkers of Christ we are to support the Commonwealth of God in every prayer we plead, in every humility we embrace, in every penance we make, in every kindness we do, in every word we utter, in every act of worship we offer, in every sacrament we celebrate, in every gift we give, in every burden we bear, in every respect we extend, in every tear we wipe away, with every hand we hold; and we do this by sharing in common everything we have been given.
While we are Citizens of Heaven living within various earthly kingdoms and governments and perhaps members of various political parties or ideologies, we strive to be respectful of those principles and powers; but our ultimate allegiance, consideration, and deference must always be given to the Commonwealth of God, the universal care of God's children, His creation, and His commandments.
The Commonwealth of God knows no earthly king nor any political party, and as followers of the Prince of Peace we must always be aware of this basic Christian understanding. If because of fear or self-righteousness we choose a seat with Herod and Pilate rather than walking with Jesus, we have lost the Way and we have abandoned the Gospel with no hope of entering the Kingdom. We can not serve two masters, and no earthly master can replace our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Commonwealth of God is a foretaste of heaven made manifest on earth. As a religious community, we seek to build “colonies of heaven,” like our monastic Celtic forebears.
In the call to hospitality, like the Apostles before us, we are impelled by the Spirit to embrace and include people and communities who are different from us, those who are perhaps outside of our cultural norms or even theological experience but with whom we share a deep love of Christ, His Church and the Sacraments.
We do all of this in an effort to build our Community and usher in the Commonwealth of God, making real in our lives our Lord’s Prayer that “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
The Commonwealth of God is a foretaste of heaven made manifest on earth. As a religious community, we seek to build “colonies of heaven,” like our monastic Celtic forebears.
In the call to hospitality, like the Apostles before us, we are impelled by the Spirit to embrace and include people and communities who are different from us, those who are perhaps outside of our cultural norms or even theological experience but with whom we share a deep love of Christ, His Church and the Sacraments.
We do all of this in an effort to build our Community and usher in the Commonwealth of God, making real in our lives our Lord’s Prayer that “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
