UNITY (09-21-10)

Ephesians 4:5-6
…one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all…
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Whether playing “sipa” or “patintero” (these are Filipino streetgames for kids), my brother and me would prefer to play in separate teams. When our father observed this, he would reprimand us, saying that as much as possible, we should play in one team. And this thinking is passed on through the years. Together, we would work to make our lives better. No competition, but working as one for the better.

The Church has also experienced disunity in the early part of her history. Various groups would establish their own belief and would totally detach themselves. Up to now, this is happening as more and more groups would rather serve their own interests rather than serve the Lord first and foremost.

Christ bestowed unity on his Church from the beginning. This unity subsists as something she can never lose, and everyone hope that it will continue to increase until the end of time.

Christ always gives his Church the gift of unity, but the Church must always pray and work to maintain, reinforce, and perfect the unity that Christ wills for her. This is why Jesus himself prayed at the hour of his Passion, and does not cease praying to his Father, for the unity of his disciples: “That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us…so that the world may know that you have sent me.”

One God, one body, one Spirit. We are all called to be one, and may we forever maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Let us pray +

We praise you, Lord, for making us members of one body by one Spirit. We pray for zeal to walk in the unity of the faith that the Spirit provides. We pray for the will and the resolve to work for unity, allowing our diversity to be a source of strength and vitality rather than a source of division. Help us to remember what unites us as your people: faith in your Son, Jesus Christ, and the unifying power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Amen +

Their message goes out through all the earth.