Unity in Christ

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Gal 3:28

What promotes the kind of unity that Paul trumpets in his letter to the Galatians? The answer is simple and direct. We must let go of our prejudices and narrow thinking, and become totally vulnerable to one another. When this happens, each of us, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, looks not to differences between and among us, but what similarities bind us as believers.

Of course, letting go of narrow thinking is never easy, especially when we are not even conscious of it. Most of us are guilty of this from time to time, especially culturally.

Many years ago I was at a conference in Italy when a friar offered what I thought was a wonderful invitation to our brothers in the developing world to work together for justice. Inadvertently, his speech was interpreted by many as patronizing, as wanting to create something for those living in the developing world without first asking their input. Initially I was defensive, but after reflection I realized that I would not want anyone making suggestions for our country without an in depth conversation with those of us who live here.

Unity is hard work, but in faith, Paul insists, when we see ourselves in Christ, we will surely move towards living the prayer of Jesus that all become one.

Today, listen without having to respond to someone who thinks differently than you.

How do you envision overcoming the artificial divisions within our faith community?