PSALM OF COMMUNITY

PSALM OF COMMUNITY

There was a time when we belonged to a community:

when those in a local neighbourhood worked close to one another,

but now I live as an individual:

my household has to be protected against the invasion of privacy.

Once our culture was built on dependence:

we waited for other people to give us a job and a livelihood,

now we're expected to be independent:

we take responsibility for ourselves.

In earlier days we were poor and exploited:

the boss was the one we had to obey,

now we are taught to be rich and create great wealth:

if we are poor, it must be our fault.

Yet the poor are always with us:

there's no jubilee to give back what's been lost,

while the rich are exploiting others:

the greed of a millionaire can feed on a million unemployed.

The enterprising may build success:

the lucky survive by their own hard work,

but, despite our wealth, we ignore the casualties:

our society is in pieces and disconnected.

We need to seek God's vision for our world:

for in your loving purposes we depend on each other.

We search for justice and the common good:

we'll find your Spirit among us as we work together.