Unity, Not Division

When we consider all the lives lost in past conflicts, wars and bombings, we can safely assume it was not worth all the trouble. You can barely pay for the value of one life, how much more for the multiple lives lost. We need more patience and learn to develop love and unity.

It’s true these negative ideas (or ideologies) of hate and division have crept surreptitiously into our world, throughout various sectors, sometimes under the guise of reform. Without knowing it, even religious sectors can be carried away, if their religiosity be not deep enough. Hence, the need for prayer and much meditation and humility. “Let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

God has provided us a model and leader for this modern age, Chiara Lubich, a humble woman of Trent, Italy, who founded the Focolare movement to spread worldwide the principles of love and unity. We may take for granted her main tenets, yet they are basic.

Here, for example: “God is love; to love all persons; to be the first to love, i.e. make the first step; to love the other as oneself; to make oneself one with the other; to love Jesus in everyone; to develop mutual love (reciprocal); where there is unity Jesus is present there.”

“I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them” (Mt.18:19). The very testament of Jesus is universal love. (Please see Mt. 5:38-48). Yes, amidst all negativism, let’s be positive and do something in prayer, thought and concrete actions of love and unity. “Do all you can to live at peace with everyone” (Rom. 12:18).