By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Sigh.

All around it seems we increasingly see division in our own society, and in societies all around the world. What is that old saying? Divide and conquer? But who is this modern “conquistador”? Another old saying: “We have met the enemy, and it is us.”

But … in some sense this has always been. Since the first proto-human picked up a stick to bonk the other guy on the head, there has been division. In that way we hardly rise above the animals which also fight—often even killing—those of their own kind for territory, resources, rights to procreate, etc.

Yet … we have the ability of complex reasoning, use of complex language, are able to solve difficult problems, and introspection. Therefore, we are not locked into instinct, but rather can, and should, rise above to resolve divisions among us, or at least peacefully agree to disagree.

Ironically, despite historically very evident and hostile divisions in the past, the various elements of the Christian faith are in general a good example of overcoming separations. Yes, there have been violent division in the past—even war—but much has been alleviated through advances in civilization in general. In Christianity most denominations—even while continuing to adamantly disagree about various scriptural interpretations and theologies—now rarely run around killing each other or those of other faiths as has been the tragic past.

Hmmm … Maybe … just maybe … we Christians have finally advanced to accept one another as brethren, despite our disagreements. We are reminded of this weekend’s (July 28) Mass reading from St. Paul, who in advancing the teaching of Christ Himself, advances unity in faith, urging: “…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit…the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:2-6) And Paul writes elsewhere: “…we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:5)

Even the ancient Israelites were encouraged to look after one another, regardless of which tribe they belonged. The second great commandment of Jesus came not when He said it, but early in the Old Testament: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart…you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:17-18) And then in Psalm 133 we hear God say:  “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!…For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life for evermore.” (Psalm 133:1-3)

Well, in Jesus mankind finds unity of spirit and life. Jesus stresses love of God and neighbor repeatedly throughout His earthly ministry … and later through His apostles, as we heard from Paul above, and as we hear in Peter’s letter: “…have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8)

Then, of course, Jesus’ own words: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Also in the Catholic Mass this weekend we hear the story of Jesus feeding of the 5,000 with a few loaves and fish (John 6:1-15). Now, there is a more modern “explanation” of this account—a “pot luck”  explanation that holds Jesus did not really multiply the loaves and the fish, but rather that the people had food all along and were simply moved to share with one another because of Jesus’ preaching—and thus this sharing was the so-called “miracle”. Well, that’s no miracle at all. If everyone had enough to share and eat in the first place, the apostles wouldn’t have been concerned, and Jesus wouldn’t have needed to feed them. It wasn’t the school cafeteria with people just trading sandwiches. That Gospel specifically relates that the apostles: “…filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than [the people] could eat.”

Jesus purposefully chooses the setting in which to perform this sign of His divinity, signaling that He is the new and eternal lawgiver, of whom Moses was a simple foreshadowing. As Moses went up the mountain of Sinai, Jesus ascends a mountain … but not alone toward God like Moses, but rather drawing the people upward to and with Himself … ushering in God’s even greater intimacy with mankind. A greater unity even with God.

The apostles providing the “seed” for the meal in the few loaves and fish, to be multiplied by Jesus to feed many thousands, is much like our offering of bread and wine brought to the altar in Mass or other Christian celebrations of the Last Supper. As many grains of wheat form the bread, and many grapes provide the wine, so we, though many, become united in the common meal—for Catholics it is the sacrament of the Eucharist—Christ’s the Lamb’s own Body—while other denominations believe it to be the symbol of unity in the shared meal, as family shares a meal to foster unity.

So we, as disciples of Christ, are called to advance unity among all peoples; this is why our creed of faith states “one, holy, catholic and apostolic faith”—one faith … and also “catholic”—from the Greek word for “universal”.

So, as Paul urges us today, let us: “…live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace…” …in that way seeking to draw others to oneness in Christ. For it is only through love of God and one another that peace and unity exist.

Hatred, by definition, means division … while love, by definition, seeks unity … as we seek unity in, and with, Christ … oneness with God Himself … seeking to bring to fruition Jesus’ last prayer to the Father for us just before His passion: “…Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” (John 17:11)

Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.