In that prayer, as we heard today, Jesus prays for unity—that the unity he has with the Father, might be shared by his followers. “that they may be one just as we are one…”
Unity. Unity has been attacked from the beginning of creation. The fallen angels, who were created to serve the will of God rebelled, breaking their unity with the Trinity, and were cast out of heaven. Adam and Eve created to live in harmony and obedience to God, turned away from God’s will, marring our human nature and were cast out of the earthly paradise. From that time, the peoples of the earth have been afflicted with disunity that has brought murder—brother against brother, tribe against tribe, nation against nation.
One might say, the mission of the Son of God, was one of unity—the Son came to teach us how to live in unity, and died to reconcile us to one another and to the Father.
The Church was established as that new union—Christians are united to God and one another through the Son and the Power of the Holy Spirit. Unity is a common theme of Jesus’ teaching, and Scriptures.
Psalm 133:1, which states, "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" and Ephesians 4:3, which encourages making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. “Make my joy complete” writes St. paul to the Philippians, “by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind”. To the Corinthians, Paul writes, “Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
The teaching authority of the Church, the Pope and the Bishops—the Magisterium—certainly helps us preserve the unity intended by Jesus. Doctrinal truths and moral truths. Doctrinal truths help us have unity of belief. Moral truths enable us to have unity of action.
Our unity enables us to be faithful to the mission of the Gospel. To quote Pope St. John Paul, “[The Church] is sent to the world to announce and witness, to make present and spread the mystery of communion which is essential to her, and to gather all people and all things into Christ, so as to be for all an 'inseparable sacrament of unity'”
Christ called us to unity and prayed for our unity, so that his joy might be in us, and our joy might be complete. May we be vigilant on all sinful attacks on unity, including our own selfishness, and faithful to all that unity requires of us for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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As Jesus prayed that we might be one, as He and the Father are one, let us lift our voices in prayer for the unity of the Church and the world.
For the Church, that she may be a living sign of unity in a divided world, and faithfully proclaim the Gospel of reconciliation and peace.
For the Pope, bishops, and all entrusted with the teaching office of the Church, that they may guide the faithful in truth and charity, preserving the unity of faith and morals entrusted to the apostles.
For all Christians, that we may overcome division and grow in mutual understanding, love, and shared witness to the Risen Christ.
For unity in our families, parishes, and communities, that the Holy Spirit may heal wounds caused by conflict, pride, or selfishness, and help us to live in peace and harmony
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For the faithful departed, that they may be gathered into the eternal unity of the Kingdom of Heaven, rejoicing in the presence of the God of love and peace
Heavenly Father, you sent your Son to gather your scattered children into one. Hear the prayers we offer in His name, and by the power of your Holy Spirit, make us faithful instruments of unity and peace. Through Christ our Lord.
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