Gratitude 5: Thank Spiritual and Other Communities

Our city has several robust "communities" who contribute to our well-being - without fanfare and, sometimes, without credit. This month, we should focus on thanking these "communities".

Several years ago, the area designated for our city's Central Park was acres of dry brush. Pedestrians had to cross the street to walk safely as there were no sidewalks or even a lane. One day, I noticed a community of people with shovels clearing a path along the street. At the end of the day, there was a level gravel path that could be used as a sidewalk. I hadn't read any city plans to do this and wondered what happened. Apparently, a local Church of Latter Day Saints group decided to tackle a sore spot where a sidewalk had ended and create a temporary alternative. (It's still there.)

It is these acts of kindness and responsibility that fill my heart with gratitude for spiritual and other communities. It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. To add to this, if the village is altruistic, the child will grow up into a stellar citizen. That should be the role of every religious organization.

I can list many examples of communities that feed the hungry, provide supplies and other sustenance, support mental health, contribute directly and indirectly to their community - regardless of its ethnicity or religion or political beliefs. I have met communities of many religions that have opened their arms to people who don't believe what they believe - and don't try to convert them. Actions done to me in love and solidarity still resonate deeply.

I challenge you to think the same. Explore other religious communities. All the world's religions have a spirituality. Spirituality is also a common impulse among people who do not affiliate with any religion. Bede Griffiths described the different religions like separate fingers on the hand. They are quite distinct from each other. For example, they have different sacred texts, dogmas, and rituals but, he says, if you trace each finger to its source, the palm of the hand, you see that the religions all come together in their depths.

I am thankful that there are still groups of people, "communities", who are compelled to do good deeds.