Are you living out your calling as a Christian in unity and love? - Daily Reflections May 21,2015

MAY THEY ALL BE ONE

 

A conference I attended in Australia remains etched in my mind to this day. Christians from interdenominational communities gathered there. At the closing Mass, the Catholics were in the auditorium for the final blessing. The Protestants were having their own service in the Catholic chapel. As the bishop was about to do the final blessing, the Protestants came to the venue. The bishop invited the pastors and leaders to join him in the closing prayer. Immediately a great wave of joy erupted as we realized the prayer of Jesus was being made fruitful: “May they all be one.” In his encyclical Ut Unum Sint (May 1995), St. John Paul II called for a renewal of all Christians to the prayer of unity in Jesus. The call for unity is manifested through ecumenical efforts at interfaith and interdenominational dialogue.

         Jesus’ disciples have the enormous task of sharing the Good News. Jesus knows too well what lies ahead with all its persecution and misunderstandings — but He is with us. He is like a parent who is aware of the dangers, limitations and difficult circumstances his child will encounter, but the parent must let go and allow the child to live. Jesus is doing the same in the prayer He addresses to the Father in the Upper Room.

         In these days of prayer we, too, wait for the Holy Spirit who will lead us and guide us in our life’s journey. He is our strength, encouragement and wisdom. The task ahead of us — making Jesus known — can only be accomplished by seeking the Spirit who transforms and motivates us. As we open ourselves to the Father’s love, through the presence of Jesus, we are assured that we are one with Jesus and the Father in bringing a transforming love to this world in which we live. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you living out your calling as a Christian in unity and love?

 

Father, may the love with which You loved Jesus be in me. Amen.