His Love is constant and reliable

Acts 22:30.23:6-11, Jn 17:20-26. A cry for oneness still runs through the Priestly Prayer of Jesus Christ in today's Gospel: "May they may be one in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.” The standard He sets is love that animates and manifests our being in God and His being in us. The unity of His disciples would not rest on the idea that nobody should ever dare hurt the feelings of another, but built upon an intense desire to help each other to seek and share what is best. As the Father’s love for Jesus is constant, so His love for us is constant and reliable. What is required of us is that we remain in His love: “With I in them, and you in me, may their unity be complete.” We are called and sent not so much to preach this unity as to model and demonstrate it in our manner of living. 

In contract, Paul preaching in today's first reading in the resurrection divided his listeners. At that time, the Sadducees and the Pharisees were two of the most dominant groups within the Jewish community, with the Sadducees representing the secular elite, the nobility and those who favoured assimilation with the Hellenistic and Roman cultures and way of life. They did not believe in the Resurrection and other spiritual matters, in Angels and in the afterlife among others. On the other extreme, are the Pharisees who were those zealously protecting the Jewish customs and traditions, representing the religious and intellectual elites. Many differing ideologies were being united as Paul courageously spoke and witnessed to the resurrection of Jesus, even though he had to face stiff opposition. It is time to pray for unity among us, avoid feuds, build up others, work together in humility even with those who disagree and thus give glory to Christ as God glorified Jesus.

May the Lord help us to foster harmony and unity in our actions and interactions so that we may indeed be a united people by our faith in the Lord! Amen!! Remain safe and have a terrific day!!!