Saint Christopher Magallanes, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs
… that they may all be one. (John 17:21)
Is it possible, Lord? You prayed that your people would be one in the same way that you and the Father are one. It seems too good to be true! I see so many people who call on your name and yet are at odds with one another. But it’s not just other people. There are times when I catch myself holding onto past grudges or feeling superior to my brothers and sisters from other traditions.
Lord, I know that you deeply desire that all your children be united. It’s what you prayed for on the night before you died, so it must be one of the deepest longings of your heart. And if you prayed for unity, then it must be possible. It must be capable of going beyond what I can see with my eyes.
You want so much more for us, Lord: more than just tolerating one another or trying to pretend our differences aren’t there, more than an uneasy truce or a compromise of our disagreements. You want to bind our hearts together, to knit us into one body with you as our head.
Thank you, Lord, that you have provided the way! As you live in all of us, we can be “brought to perfection as one” (John 17:23). It is your life in us that overcomes disunity. So instead of looking at others or myself, I need to look to you, draw near to you, unite myself more fully to you. As I grow closer to you, I will grow closer to my brothers and sisters. As we all seek you with sincerity, we will find ourselves on a path toward you that will bring us nearer to each other as well. It’s like a divine triangle with you at the top!
I know that we will be fully united with each other only when we are with you in heaven. But I also know that this heavenly promise is available to us more and more as we pursue unity here on earth. So please, Lord, help us all break down walls of division. Lord, make us one!
“Praise to you, Lord Jesus! You have made true unity possible. Help me to embrace your vision and dream so that we can become one in you!”
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
Daily Marriage Tip for May 21, 2015:
You’ve probably heard of the advice: “Never go to bed angry.” Although generally this is a fine rule, sometimes a good night’s sleep can provide a cooling off period and help you get a fresh perspective.