Scripture contains fourteen letters attributed to St. Paul in which he helps to lead Christians deeper into union with Christ. But each of those letters has its own unique themes and goals. The letter to the Philippians is neither a treatise on systematic theology, like Paul’s epistle to the Romans, nor is it a practical, moral letter answering many specific questions and local problems, like I Corinthians. Rather, Philippians is a pastoral letter in which Paul expresses his love for the Philippians and shepherds them to a deeper love of Christ and each other.
And he states this pretty clearly in today’s reading, “complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love”
Through faith and baptism Christians are joined together and joined to God. Unity of divided humanity has been brought about by God through Christ. But…unity also requires work on our part.
The Catechism speaks of this when it says, “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 (CCC 820).”
We are united to God through Christ. And we are united to each other through Christ so much so that every Christian who has ever lived in any part of the world is called our brother and sister. Our unity is part of Christ’s victory—he died to rejoin what was severed in sin—a loss of unity with God and each other. And that unity heals and restores what was lost. And by our unity, we witness to the world of what God has done for us through Christ.
We have a vocation—to be one—to be united in faith and united in love, as St. Paul explains today. And this requires that we cooperate with the grace of God—through real effort and will on our part. Again, the Catechism lays this out nicely:
Permanent renewal in unity, the catechism says requires constant “conversion of heart” on the part of the faithful, seeking to live holier lives according to the Gospel." It is the unfaithfulness to the Gospel which continues to cause divisions, so we must seek constant conversion.
Unity requires common prayer. The family that prays together stays together, and that’s true for the Church. But also people who are experiencing division also need to pray together, for change in heart, and unity, comes through seeking God’s will in prayer.
Unity comes through fraternal knowledge of each other. Christians should seek to know each other, share our lives with each other, and our needs and trials with each other. We can’t know everyone perfectly, but people who pray together should share their life stories with each other. Spaghetti dinners and clambakes and parish picnics and nametag/donut Sundays and opening up your homes for small prayer groups serve this purpose.
There shouldn’t be a single person who comes into this church building for more than a few weeks, who would say, “no one knows me, no one reached to me”. If you see a stranger, please greet them.
Concern for achieving unity "involves the whole Church, faithful and clergy alike” may each of us respond to God’s grace in fulfilling Christ’s Last Supper prayer, that we may be one as he and the Father are one, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the Gospel may be for divided humanity the source of unity and peace, and for a healing of sinful divisions within the Church.
That those seeking political office in the upcoming Election will be dedicated to authentic justice, peace, and the good of all.
As the month of October comes to a close, may the rosary of Our Lady be a source of great graces for the Church and for the world.
For the impoverished and sick and those experiencing any sort of trial: that Jesus the Bread of Life will be their sustenance.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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