This is why the most authentic religious communities are austere. They don't promise the novice anything but blood, sweat and tears. They don't promise bliss. They don't promise happiness here. They don't promise anything but a cross. But in that cross they do promise a new identification with Christ, and that is something that will last forever. The best of the new ecclesial communities in the Catholic Church are like that. Furthermore, if they are wise, they do well to continually refer their members back to the ultimate community of Christ, which is the church--warts and all.

But that's tough because, the utopias are soooo seductive. We so much want them to be true. We want that perfect parish. We so want that perfect priest. We so long for that community where all live and love in perfect harmony. But remember 'Utopia' means 'Nowhere' and we are not destined for a perfect community here. That's because we're destined for it hereafter.