We don’t have to look very hard in our world today to see division and dischord tearing at the fabric of our relationships. The same dynamics were happening in the letter to the Corinthians, and St. Paul gives us some practical tips for fostering the hard work of unity in the name of Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of the Year
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The Samaritan who was healed from his leprosy by Jesus now draws near to the Lord in gratitude. May we look for Christ’s presence in our lives and swiftly respond as we grow closer to the Lord and one another.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
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The readings this Sunday both challenge and console us to foster unity, endure discipline, and focus on the Kingdom of Heaven. While life will not be easy, God will give us what need for the journey.
Mass Readings – 21st Sunday of the Year
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The love between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit becomes the model for Christian discipleship. The indivisible unity of the Trinity – overflowing with love – guides and directs the Church to unite from within and without as we strive to grow closer together in love.
Mass Readings – The Most Holy Trinity
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The Holy Spirit comes to unite us to God and one another, breaking down the walls of isolation and division, and leading us to cooperation as Sons an Daughters of God. Where do you see dissent and disunity in your life? Call upon the Spirit!
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Jesus prays for his current and future disciples that they will be one – united to God and one another – as they journey through life. May our unity flourish in the love of Christ as we draw nearer each day to the Lord.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter
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Study: Reflect on a time when you encountered a difficult experience. Where did you find your strength?
Pray: Ask for the Holy Spirit to help you, especially to unite with others in challenging situations.
Serve: How can you help foster unity in your life? What can you do to bring people together?
Mass Readings – Pentecost Vigil
It can be somewhat confusing to know what readings to follow – depending on the day and the options available a person can hear a number of different Scripture readings this weekend. Stepping back for a moment, however, we can tease out some major themes that surface on this important feast of the Church:
In many respects this feast marks the birthday of the Church. The disciples, having watched the Lord ascend to Heaven, are now “on their own” to carry out the Good News of Christ. The point, of course, is that they are not alone! Filled with the Holy Spirit their hearts are transformed and their lives forever changed. They have become willing instruments empowered by the Spirit to speak and act for the glory of God. They don’t look anything like their former selves – timid, fearful, and self-serving; they now fearlessly engage the world with the conviction that Jesus is Lord.
And as they are strengthened by the Spirit one sign increasingly becomes apparent – the unity of believers as a self evident sign that God’s grace is at work. Several approaches underscore this sense of unity:
Language, cooperation, fruitfulness, and forgiveness are all hallmarks of the Spirit’s presence in our lives. All are crucial and take an enormous amount of effort – supported by the POWER of the Holy Spirit!
Is there a place in our lives today that would benefit from unity? Are there relationships and situations that require healing and strength to grow? Do we recognize circumstances (perhaps beyond our control) that cry out for the Lord’s intervention? If so, then we can confidently turn to the Spirit for the grace we need to face what lies before us.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful , grant that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Note: This post was first published on May 19, 2015.
