Experiencing God - Unity 185

"Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name so that they may be one like us."
Gospel of John

When a parent, a mother or father, is dying, the one hope and dream they have for their family, particularly their children, is that they remain united. Their wish is that they support one another, look after one another, be there for one another.  In fact, this is more important than the individual success stories of each of their children.  Why is this?  I think the answer lies in the fact that a parent knows that if their children are united in love for one another, they will all be safe, all will be cared for.

There's a story in Acts where St. Paul is leaving the people of Ephesus.  "Be on your guard for yourselves," he says;  "Be on your guard for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers".  In other words, be united in your faith.  Do not allow the outside world with all of its temptations separate you and divide you.  

The focus of the seventeenth chapter of the Gospel of John, from which the above quote is taken, is on unity.  This is written at the time when Jesus is preparing to leave His disciples.

Jesus prays to the one He calls "Holy Father that His followers be joined in oneness, just as the father and son are one.  The central focus of Jesus' prayer is unity, unity of not only the present disciples, but also the future disciples; a unity modeled on that of the Father and Son; a union that takes it roots from the love that exists between the two of them.

What is the cause of disunity, this breaking of the love covenant?  Jesus describes this source of disunity as the world.  In fact, He mentions this seventeen times in these verses of chapter seventeen.  This world that Jesus mentions is the anti-world, the place of disbelief, hatred and unlove; that which is in contradiction to what Christian living should be.  It would include the getting caught up into inordinate desires and attachments to things, the lust for power and ambition, and for worldly pleasures.  Jesus uses Judas as an example of one to whom unity was offered, but was rejected; of one who experienced light and life, but left it for the darkness of the world.

The unity that Jesus speaks about has nothing to do with uniformity.  A parent recognizes that each of his or her children are uniquely different, with different strengths and gifts, different likes and dislikes, different preferences and even different views.  It is this diversity that makes community and family work, that makes Christ visible in the world.  This unity has its foundation in our common belief in Christ, faith in the Holy Spirit, and the mission of love that we are all called to share.  We serve in that mission in unity, using the diversity of our gifts and strengths to move us forward to building God's Kingdom.

St. Paul warns the people of Ephesus: "Be on your guard for yourselves.  Be on your guard for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers."  A dying parent knows what is the most important thing for his or her children: - care for one another, be there for one another.  Do not let the cares of the world separate you.