The Economy of Communion Project

Actual Text

1. One of the sections in this article that really caught my attention was the definition of the "culture of gratuitousness" (665). It is no synonymous with philanthropy or social assistance, but rather it is the understanding that "one cannot be happy alone, others are necessary for one's happiness" (665).

2. I found the conclusion of this article to be inspiring because I think it it is important that people recognize that "they belong to the same social group regardless of blood or profound relationships" (679). It is important that we as people work together in a positive way because self-giving love is the path to human freedom and fulfillment.


Responses

1. This definition grasped my attention because I think many people, myself included categorize gratuity as being generous to others. However, gratuity does not mean being a good person or giving others a gift. The truth is that gratuity is a spiritual attitude. In order to be truly happy we must surround ourselves with others. For example, you can be rich and have all the money in the world, but if you are not surrounded by people you love and people to share that wealth with then you are not going to be truly happy. We must be concerned with looking out for the happiness of others because if we all just looked out for ourselves then no one would achieve genuine happiness.

2. I think that the author did an excellent job at summing up the meaning of the Economy of Communion. Regardless of social standing or how much money each individual makes, we are all on the path to human fulfillment. I don't think that there is a single person that doesn't want to make their life the best it can possibly be and this can be achieved if we all come together. By joining in a "communion" we can solve the social and economic problems while reflecting on our own lives. Becoming educated about social and economic problems can help us grow individually, but as we grow individually we can also grow together.

More blog posts in this category Common

• The Wound & the Blessing/The Economy of Communion Project Post
• The Crest- Jewel of Wisdom & Work as a Spiritual Practice Post
• "What Money Can't Buy" Blog Post
• Blog Post Ni: FTRN Booklet & Arithmetic of Passion
• Work as a Spiritual Practice (The Transformation of Work)