Early in his career, Jesus expanded his work of healing and teaching to formation of a community. Helping that community of disciples to bond, to understand what he was about and to share his vision was a constant preoccupation. That community of women and men became the core and foundation of the initial movement and later Church.
Community is at the heart of Christianity; the natural progression is from relationships and community to celebration. However, a preoccupation with liturgy and ritual has diverted attention from the fundamental exercise of mutual care, sharing, looking out for the marginalised and vulnerable (the ones lying in the ditch or sleeping rough).
Jesus’ dream of a reign of God is to be realised in the hearts and lives (personal, social, economic and cultural) of the people of God (all of them). Celebrating it follows.