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A reflection on how to end or renew your community experience by addressing lingering issues from the new edition of Shared Visions:


"As you approach the end of your time of service, or if you simply want to reenergize your community as you move into another year of volunteering, it is important to address lingering issues that may be clouding your living situation. It is easy to push problems aside and just try to remain civil to a community member you may be struggling with, but it is only through challenge and adversity that you are able to grow and learn about yourself during your time of service. Especially if you will not be living with the same people after this year, it is important to reconcile yourself with your community in order to walk away from this experience with a positive outlook and to be able to appreciate the gifts you received from your community members.


In Matthew 5, Jesus gives us the Beatitudes on which to reflect. He offers beautiful words that inspire us to do better in our lives. These words may have even been your inspiration for doing a year or more of service. Following his teaching on the Beatitudes, Jesus reflects on anger, adultery, divorce, retaliation and loving your enemies. In each of these teachings, Jesus tells us that not only do we need to have a relationship with God through prayer and action, but also, and just as important, we need to be in relationship with our brothers and sisters.

Specifically, in Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus tells us that in order to be able to serve the Lord, you need to make right with your neighbors. You cannot be free unless you reconcile with those who you have done wrong, and forgive those whom have done wrong against you.

Jesus says: “Go and be reconciled, then come and offer your gift.” How true these words are for us in our daily lives. If you can’t be at peace in relationships with friends, family, community members, clients, co-workers, a person you sit near on the bus, or a complete stranger half way around the world, how can you, then, offer yourself in service to others?

What good are you really doing at your job or in your community if you approach situations with disdain, anger, or indifference?

How do you find that inner peace to be able to give yourself to your work, clients, friends and family back home, and roommates?

You can find that inner peace through God and prayer, but also through letting go of the hurt and brokenness that pervades your life and heart, and asking for forgiveness for what you did against your neighbor. Once you make right with your brothers and sisters, you are able to help and serve others and yourself.

It is crucial to take the step of reconciliation in your community life. You need to address remaining problems in order to be able to move on from this experience or continue to grow with those you are living with during your time of service. Once you take the time to confront issues, you can be at peace with that problem and move on from your entire volunteer experience or continue on in your community life with a sense of freedom from that issue. Once you reconcile yourself to your brothers and sisters, then you can go and offer your gift to the world."