Solitude and Community

“Let him who cannot be alone beware of community... Let him who is not in community beware of being alone... Each by itself has profound perils and pitfalls. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and the one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation and despair.”

― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Bonhoeffer wrote those words in Germany while protesting the injustices of the Nazi regime. Even in the radical work of calling for justice (which cost Bonhoeffer his life), he was deeply aware of the tensions to either be too isolated or not isolated enough.

In the midst of covid and the accompanying isolation, how are you doing at truly being able to be alone? What does community look like for you these days?

Jesus seemed to find a special grounding when he was alone and able to step away from the demands of the world. As you read this short passage, talk with him about how you are doing with being alone.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” - Mark 1:35-37