In
our Gospel this morning, Jesus stresses the importance of unity. He says, “Every kingdom divided
against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his
kingdom stand?”
We
can all see the importance of unity on a daily basis in our families, jobs, and
other endeavors. It’s a good thing
to be on the same page with those we love and with those we work with.
At
the human level, our Church often faces disunity or fragmentation. This occurs because of sin or lack of
understanding particular Church teachings.
Yet
at the divine level—the deeper level—the Church is the exception to the rule
that “every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste”. Jesus promised that the gates of hell
would not prevail against His Church.
He promised that He would be with His Church until the end of time. Because of these facts we may declare
at every Sunday Mass, “I believe in one, holy, Catholic apostolic Church.” We believe the Church is one.
Thus, if we experience disunity with the Church the onus
is on us—not the Church—to find unity once more. It is on us to seek freedom from sin and greater
understanding of the teachings of Christ’s mystical body. In doing so we will find greater unity
in our own lives with the one Church.
Your message makes me think that unity/disunity begins on a personal level. Most of us operate on a level of meeting ego needs which prevents true conversion on a higher level. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteYep. Original sin has darkened our intellect and weakened our will. While full integration of our own selves can only take place in heaven, the greater we strive to become "new men/women" the greater we can accomplish unity on this higher level with others.
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