9- Belonging and its Meaning

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen

Lesson No. (9)

References :
Youth between Alienation and Belonging, H.G. Bishop Moussa

Notes for Servants :

Objectives :
General: The meaning and nature of belonging.
Specific:
1. Alienation, its reasons, forms, and cures
2. Belonging, its meaning, factors and benefits
3. The benefits of belonging.

Instructions:

1. Review last week's lesson.
2. Give a brief description about the church occasion(s) for
the coming week.
3. Describe the reasons and forms of youth sense of
alienation.
4. Detail the reasons and factors for the need for belonging.

Bible Verse:
"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one
members one of another."

(Romans 12:5)

Lesson :

Belonging and its Meaning

Alienation
Alienation is a feeling of estrangement between the person and God,
the church, or the society. It is a destructive feeling that creeps into one’s life
due to several reasons. Among these factors is one’s inability to participate in
any decision making or active involvement in the surrounding which brings
about a feeling of powerlessness and meaninglessness. Often the lack of
stable and immutable morals and norms produces double standards which
cause the youth to lose faith in any organization. When the contradiction
between church morals and those of society are not reconciled in a healthy
manner, social alienation occurs. Finally, the failure to use one’s talents and
develop one’s individual personality can push the person to bitter
disappointment, unhealthy isolation and seclusion. The most dangerous form
of alienation is that related to God and the Church. It is enmity with God and His Kingdom and a steep slope towards the evil ruler of this world and to perdition.

Belonging
Belonging is often misperceived as a fair deal between the person and
the group. In those cases, the feeling of belonging only comes if the person
obtains material benefits from the membership in the group. Contrary to this
misleading view, belonging is a social, psychological and spiritual need.
Before God created Eve, He caused Adam to feel a need for a companion
when he saw all the animals passing in pairs, male and female, "but for Adam
there was not found an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:20). This need is only
satisfied by healthy interaction and love to others. Therefore, the concept of
"It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35) takes a practical and
tangible dimension in addition to its spiritual meaning. A selfish person hates
everyone and is hated by all, while a giving person loves everyone and is
loved by all. A person’s social fulfillment strives on love, appreciation and
participation. These needs are satisfied through fruitful interactions with other
people while respecting their differences. One’s feeling of belonging to an
organization or a society is manifested in having an active and important role
(reasoning, expression of opinion, decision-making, or leadership).

Circles of Belonging
Belonging takes different dimensions depending on one’s capacity to
love and one’s dedication in service. The first circle of belonging is that to the
family where self-sacrifice and love are instrumental for a strong familial
bond. Next comes the belonging to the church through believing in the same
creed, participating in the same worship and liturgies, partaking from the
sacraments, serving in its many forms, and diverse other activities. This
membership is strengthened by the need of each organ to the others in a
complementary fashion. Belonging to one’s country drives a person to thrive
for its success and to participate in building a healthy society based on hard
work, honesty, loyalty and fruitful contributions in all fields. A loving person
feels a strong bond with all members of humanity in all the world regardless
of race or religion. Belonging to mankind would drive some to volunteer to
help the hungry, the needy, the oppressed, and all those who suffer as Saint
Paul instructs "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and
them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (Hebrews
13:3).

Elements and Benefits of Belonging
Divine love is a crucial element in belonging since it is the bridge to
others (family, congregation, society, country and humanity). It is the drive to
give without expecting anything in return, to forgive and to "rejoice with them
that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:15). Education,
discernment and flexibility guard the actions and guide them in the different
situations. The blessings of belonging include spiritual fulfillment,
psychological stability, deep satisfaction, unity with other people, and a sense
of meaning, purpose, and contribution.

Conclusion:
1.
2.
3.