How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” vs. 1
Psalm 133
The psalmist nails it today! His dream has been around for a long time and describes one of our deepest yearnings. There is nothing that can be any better than unity in the life of our communities. When Jesus was completing his mission John tells us that he told his disciples that he was giving them just one commandment, that they should love one another, and further that they should be one. That directive has guided the Church through its entire history but it’s been devilishly difficult to pull off. But sometimes it does happen and we find ourselves surrounded by brothers and sisters in faith with whom we feel remarkable unity. Not only do we have a common mission, we actually love each other, and spend our lives in mutual affection and service. The psalmist is right, such times are very good and pleasant, a respite from the usual infighting and outright ugly behavior that so often afflict our attempts at community. What’s the secret? Why do we sometimes feel unity, when so often we don’t? Some of it has to do with humility, that moment when we stop trying to lord it over others and begin simply to devote ourselves to their happiness and pleasure. It’s as we get outside ourselves that we can finally come together as one body in Christ–and the result is pure joy, both for ourselves and for others!
Thought for the Day: When have I felt perfect unity with others?
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