Independence and Interconnection
Fr. Paul Stemn
Originally posted on 7/4/2010

Today we celebrate the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is also the 4th of July, Independence Day. The theme of independence can serve as a starting point for us today. The word independence has a number of different meanings. Perhaps the ideas of freedom and liberty are the notions that first come to mind. It is true to say that, when rightly understood, our freedom helps us attain happiness in this life and in the next. And so on this day we give thanks and praise to God for the freedom we enjoy in this country, especially for our freedom of religion.

But today let’s look at some of other, finer shades of meaning in what it means to be independent. An example to get us started would be the legal idea of an independent counsel. An independent counsel is “An attorney appointed by the federal government to investigate and prosecute federal government officials” (http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com). This investigating attorney must come from the outside, so to speak; he or she must not have ties or connections to those who are being investigated. The attorney has to be independent so as to avoid conflicts of interest. Another example would be the need for a child to become independent from his or her parents.

These examples reveal that the idea of independence can suggest separation or lack of relationship, not having ties or connections to something or someone else. We also see that independence can also mean not needing to rely on something or someone else.

It’s true to say that in order for one to grow into the unique child of God that each one of us is called to be, we do need to first acquire some measure of independence. A degree of independence is necessary for maturity and forming one’s individual identity. But when we consider independence as an absolute, we realize that we are never truly independent, for only God is independent in an absolute sense. Only God is not dependent on anything or anyone else for His existence.

We will always have at least some minimal affiliation or relationship with others; we will always need to rely on someone else. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for anyone to survive for long without the help of others. Consider food, medicine, medical care, shelter, or clothing. One may have the money to buy these things, but ultimately these necessities come from, or were produced by, someone else. We must be in relationship with others; we are interdependent. When we look at the deeper realities of life we see that we are also interconnected.

The following comical story can begin to help illustrate our interconnectedness. Once upon a time, a man’s rowboat was struck by a large boat and began to sink. The people in the large boat threw the man a lifejacket, but he responded, “I don’t need any help, God will save me soon.” Later, another boat came, offering the drowning man some help, but he responded again, “I don’t need any help, God will save me soon.” Then, a helicopter arrived, lowering a ladder for the man, but he responded once more, “I don’t need any help, God will save me soon.” Eventually, the man drowns and appears before God. He asks the Lord, “Why didn’t you save me?!” To which the Good Lord responds, “Don’t blame me; I sent you a life-jacket, a boat, and a helicopter!”

God Himself could have rescued that drowning man, or God could have sent an angel. However, God chooses to send us out into the world. God desires to use us to minister to and help each other.

Father Edward Clark has written a book titled, Five Great Catholic Ideas. And one of those five great ideas is that we are saved in community. Father Clark notes that “our definition of salvation is essentially communal. It involves not simply our individual rescue from eternal damnation, but our common union with God, with others, and with all creation in the one body of Christ.” (p. 21). St. Paul’s words echo this notion of our interconnectedness. Paul tells us that we are all members of the Body of Christ, “If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” [1 Cor 12:26, NAB]

We see this interconnectedness and interdependence in infant baptism. In infant baptism, the faith of the Church, especially the faith of the parents and God-parents, supplies for the inability of the child to commit himself or herself to God. Admittedly, the child will one day have to choose God for himself or herself. But nevertheless, each one of us can be an occasion for grace to our brothers and sisters.

Our interconnectedness is also in keeping with our understanding of sin. No matter how personal or private a sin might be, sin always harms the Christian Community. And a good deed performed, no matter how private, a good deed always profits the people of God.

So, we really are all interconnected. Our independence, in terms of our freedom, is something for which we give thanks to God. But in terms of relationships, we are neither independent of God, nor are we independent of each other.

At the end of Mass, we hear one of three possible dismissals: “Go in the peace of Christ.” Or, “the Mass is ended go in peace.” Or “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” Here, the Priest or Deacon is not telling the people to “get lost!” Rather, the idea behind the dismissal is that each member of the congregation is to go forth, evangelize, and introduce others to Jesus Christ, inviting them into the Church, so that we might all be one with each other and with God.

In the storms of life, some day I might find myself drowning. Chances are, Jesus Himself won’t come directly to save me. Chances are, Jesus won’t send an angel to help me. Chances are Jesus will send someone, maybe you, to help me. I need you; we need each other. We are interconnected; we are saved in community. Jesus sends us to help and save each other.