ABC's of a Momentary Monk: G for Gathering

I like to be in groups with people but I need my space too. I guess that makes me an introvert. My wife Dawn, she is a true extrovert. She is energized by groups. She amazes me. She is like the Duracell bunny--she keeps going and going and going! Literally.  I like to have a reason for being in a group. It could be to do mission or service, pray, worship, love, even laugh. I always have a reason for being. Even if it is to be absolutely ridiculous, in the words of Bono. In the church we call this kind of gathering a community. I don't really like the word community because it is overused and carries with it too many sentimental versions of why gather and around whom do we gather. I mean Hallmark makes most good things into an emotion and most emotions are too subjective to be unifying. I am a purist so I risk further definition. We gather around Jesus. In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Christ stands at the center." I like that. When I am in a gathering of Christian men, women and children, I honestly picture Christ hovering at the center; transcending conversations, sentimentalities,  emotions, expectations, rituals, and yes, even conflict. Literally and cosmically Jesus is at the center. I mean how else could such a diverse group of oddly political and precariously individualistic people stay unified, unless the gathering is gathered by a grand gatherer?