To unite and to divide

There is divisiveness in these days of intense politics and crisis.

Our Lord’s words in today’s Gospel (Luke 12:49-53) address the inevitability of division, even when it comes to the truth that He Himself brings.

I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!

There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!

Do you think that I have come
to establish peace on the earth?

No, I tell you, but rather division.

From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

But, as Saint Paul reminds us in today’s first reading (Ephesians 3:14-21) humanity has potential for unity in the power of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power
through his Spirit in the inner self,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

May you and I never be divisive except when required by the truth and in the love of Christ.

May we never seek unity that opposes the truth and the love of Christ.