May they be One

I have done community development for the last 22 years. But I confess, I resisted sitting at the table with others working for the same purpose for a long time. Politicians were too corrupt. Those in the business sector were in it for personal gain. Religious groups had theology or liturgy I considered unorthodox. Those in my own sector were my competitors. Somehow, I learned over time to perceive others in my sector as rivals. 

But, as I read the scriptures through Jesus’ eyes, I realized the mission to which we have been called is greater than any individual or organization can ever accomplish alone. It requires different types of people, organizations, talents, resources and perspectives working around the table in collaboration and unity.

This week’s Gospel presents the third and final part of the Priestly Prayer, in which Jesus looks to the future and expresses his great desire for unity among us, his disciples, and for the permanence of all in that unifying love. 

Unification, Not Uniformity
Unity does not mean uniformity. It means remaining in love, despite all tensions and all conflicts. It’s a love that creates a deep unity, like that which exists between Jesus and the Father. The unity in love revealed in the Trinity becomes the standard for our own relationships. The ability to remain in love is at the center of Jesus’ last prayer to the Father. It is His testament. Being a Christian without the love that overcomes our tendencies toward rivalry is to contradict the last will of Jesus.

By putting down the walls of division and being willing to see and celebrate the good news in the most difficult places of my city, and with the marginalized, I’m discovering that God’s table is big enough to make room for people from all walks of life, sectors and perspectives.

God is at work everywhere, through everyone and in all things. This way of seeing has given me the freedom to embrace and to work in collaboration with people and organizations from the public, private, non-profit and religious sectors who are also seeking the shalom of our city. Mutually generative and authentic relationships are being formed, the issues hurting people and places are being addressed, and more people are positively impacted, especially those who are marginalized.

I see how Jesus’ prayer that we become one is more and more a reality, as we all become more attracted to him. There are still things that threaten to separate us, but as we focus on Him as the center to which we are all drawn, these issues become less and less important. The community that we are becoming is certainly a beautiful thing worth celebrating.