Good morning good people, May the Lord give you peace and health.
It is 20th May 2021. We meditate on Acts 22:30, 23:6-11 and the Gospel of John 17:20-26.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Ps.133:1)
A pastor had an annual pastoral meeting with his associates, collaborators, parish council, finance committee, variety of ministry group leaders to discuss the plan for the year ahead and more importantly to tackle the issues of parish debts during the pandemic. During the meeting, an angel appeared in front of the pastor to reward his commitment, dedication, and sacrifice. He was asked to choose among three blessings: infinite wealth, infinite fame, and infinite wisdom. Without hesitation the pastor chose the infinite wisdom and angel granted him what he chose and vanished. The parish council leader broke the silence by inviting the pastor to say something. The pastor looked around everyone and said: “I should have taken the money.”
Our words are the cream of our thoughts. Either it does good or harm; divide or unite; life or death.
The words of St. Paul threw those who accused him in confusion. Prudence in his words and the power of the Holy Spirit protected him from further harm from those who wanted to harm them. The plan of God does emerge even amidst human flaws. Unless our words are born out of unity and love, we will end up dividing the community. Our audibility cannot equate the audacity rather having a feel and sensibility of the audience in front. St. Paul was strengthened by God by a vision to continue being a witness in Rome as he was in Jerusalem.
Holy Trinity is the model of that unity and love for us all.
Bishop Klaus Hemmerle of Aachen wrote, “I wish each of us has the Easter eyes, able to perceive in death, life; in guilt, forgiveness; in separation unity; in wounds glory; in the human, God; in God, the human; and in the I, the You.”
The deepest desire of Jesus for all of us is expressed so profoundly in the last part in the prayer of Jesus is to be united in love for the growth of the community. The evangelisation remains a utopian concept without unity and love among us. When a family is divided within, it cannot dream to build a nation of unity and love. When the divisions are visible in our family, and community, there is a suffocation of love and witnessing.
How much impact our words make in the life of others? Are we united as a family of God, a believing community, and tolerating humanity? If our words cannot heal, unite, and inspire better not to utter those toxic, inhuman sentiments and sensations.
“Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.” (Jn.17:21).
Have a day filled with unity and peace. May God bless you.