Where two or three are gathered

Repeatedly, the suggestion that "where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am," by Jesus, finds me nodding in agreement.

Relationships form and develop at that level.

From there, other possibilities emerge.

Small groups of people praying, discussing a book, growing out of destructive ways, and more, best build relationships.

The foundation begins in homes, of course.  In that small group that moves outward.

Catholic social thought is often identified with the common good throughout its history.  This sweeping idea, however, must be matched by groups of two or three who take up the task of building a better society.

Jim Wallis and other Protestants use the term.  That is evidence enough of the intellectual advance of Catholic social teaching across Christian confessions.  In fact, Pope John Paul II defined the common good as the "good of all and of each individual, because we are really responsible for all."

Such thinking is a formula for flourishing communities.

Christianity is a clarion call to a relationship that changes all other relationships.  It begins, however, at the basic level of two or three individuals who are committed to meet.

For large groups to be fruitful in the faith, small cells must prevail originally.