Last night’s Bible Study was on community – what is it, how is it described in The Bible and what do we believe about it. It was suggested that we need community to hold us accountable. This is behind the idea of a public confession of faith – a pledge kept to one’s self is too easily lost or compromised, but one known by the public or community, to use our word, brings in to light the pressure of accountability. “Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ” is how Paul put it to the Galatians.

In a world where demanding one’s rights seems to be the high water mark of the day, this is not entirely in line with how people think. Civility, that is behaving a way that bears concern for others seems to be lost in the market place and the work place too often. It does live, though in pockets, in neighbourhoods. And hopefully it is alive and well in the church – but not always I fear.

I rather like the word obligation. I have an obligation to consider the needs of others, the feelings of others, the concerns of others. Yes I must protect myself to some degree. No you can’t have my banking information nor can you encamp on my front lawn – that’s pure common sense. It’s why on an airplane you are told to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. But then I have an obligation to help others.

Jesus told Peter in John 21 to feed “my sheep”… I think that’s what Jesus meant.