"May all be one!" May we be united, acting in harmony, and at peace. Particularly now as we are still coming out of Covid and humanity faces so much crisis and war; and situations that cause division all over the world. "May all be one" may speak to the deep longing of the human heart for connection and union, when we can often feel so separated, alone, and fearful. Christ articulates this human longing – and today's reading offers so much to humanity.
Christ speaks of God’s intention for us since the fall of Adam and Eve, and the fratricide of Cain of his brother Abel. His words here are not simply a longing or even admonition. There is no other text in all the scripture like this one, even among other prayers that Jesus offers to His Father.
Here in the Last Supper He speaks as the Son of God who is now acting as the High Priest as the great covenant, Sacrifice of Reconciliation, and Peace. He offers this Collect prayer of the great Divine Liturgy in which as, both Priest and Victim, He reconciles us with God and with one another. We are united with Him and participate in this work of reconciliation in each Mass.
Saint Paul says, "Christ is our Peace." This is not just nice poetry but great truth.
It is in Him that we are reconciled and made one - and now - as in every time since He walked this earth, we are to be led on the way of unity and harmony as each one embraces self-sacrifice and selfless love with Him. On this foundation, families, communities, and nations will flourish now.
"The Family that prays together stays together," and "A world at prayer is a world at peace," are two down to earth phrases of Father Peyton that try to point us to something simple, yet at the same time very deep, as we try to navigate our way today.
The world is indeed faced with hugely complex situations that can make you and me feel small and helpless. What can we do?
Saint John Paul II taught, "As goes the family, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world."
Building and rebuilding unity and peace in the family is key!
Christ, by His sacrificial death and resurrection has indeed already reconciled us and intends to lead each of us and even the human race on the way of the unity, even to becoming one with Him in the Father!
The way goes by reconciled, healed, and holy families.
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