That We May Be One

Jesus’ greatest desire is that all who call themselves “Christian” would stand united, before the world. How we doing there? 😬 I think most of us have to admit “not so good” — and it’s not supposed to be that way!

And here’s the thing, it’s okay to not see eye to eye on everything. It’s okay to have disagreements. People of faith can disagree and should be open to even passionate discussions on doctrine and working out the differences between us — because these things matter!

We shouldn’t fail to discuss the hard stuff for the sake of unity — because that’s just a facade of unity. It’s not real unity. No, if we want real unity, we need to be willing to go to the difficult and uncomfortable places of where we disagree.

To be clear, I’m not saying that’s the best way to begin a conversation with somebody we just met or follow on social media — in fact, don’t do that. Speaking from experience, that rarely goes well!

But we should be able to hash out our differences and still love each other in the process. In fact, it is because we love Jesus and each other that we should want to hash out our differences.

I just wish we did it in a more graceful manner, ya know? I wish we wouldn’t take cheap shots and yell for the “cancelling” of “so and so” because they really got it wrong and now they need to pay!!

Why are we often so harsh with our brothers and sisters in the faith (and I include myself in that category) when we know Jesus never would treat us with that same harshness?

I just wish we would take our cue from Jesus and correct in love and humbly accept correction when we get it wrong — because we all get things wrong, people!

Jesus made it clear that our job is not to “cast the first stone”. It is to love. It is important to understand, though, that loving someone means that sometimes you have to have the difficult conversation.

You love them so much you don’t want them to go down a bad and dangerous path, so you risk something and you try to say what’s on your heart.

It’s a noble and delicate task, but we can’t shy away from saying what God is putting on our heart just because it’s not an easy thing to do.

I think the key here is that we need to work on a real-life relationship if our difficult conversations are ever going to bear much fruit. Honestly, it’s one of the reasons why the Catholic faith can’t be “virtual”.

The sacraments must be “in-person” and they are a great reminder to us that we were made for community and it is in community that we grow and thrive and experience Christ’s love.

So the next time you want to write that “zinger” on your social media feeds, what if you stopped, said a prayer asking God to give you love for this person who is irking you, and then only write what you feel God is asking you to write.

Or, here’s a thought, if you don’t think they’re open to hearing it, what if you write nothing at all and just pray and fast for that person the way you feel God is asking you to?

It’s a thought.

I’m a writer by nature, but even I know that in-person conversations can allow for a deeper understanding. So maybe make that a part of your plan, when possible, in the difficult conversations of your life.

I don’t have all the answers as to how to go about greater unity, but now, more than ever, I think we need to work for it.

I’m personally feeling convicted to pray for it and try for it because Jesus loves us and ourFather in Heaven loves us and They want to see us united. So I’m going to try!

Can we all agree to try? Can we all agree to pray for each other and try to give the other person the benefit of the doubt? Can we?

Because nobody wins when we just “go in for the kill”. Nobody wins when we start attacking the people we’re supposed to be loving.

No winners. Just losers — and who wants to be a loser? Not me. How about you?

P.S. Today is a great day to begin the Novena to the Holy Spirit. Lord knows, we need more of the Holy Spirit to approach these challenges and handle them with love and grace.

Have a great weekend!