With Opened Bible
Division
“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”
or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1)
In the priestly prayer of Saint John, chapter 17, Jesus prayed for the unity of those who believed in him, the unity of his Church. "That they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you. That they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17:21) But this unity was symbolized by his tunic, which was preserved intact at Calvary. (Cf. John 19:24) However, despite his love and prayer for the Church, the weed of division was sown in the hearts of some. The Corinthian faith community fell victim to this: "I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose." (1 Corinthians 1:10-11) When the heart is not evangelized, when the idea of religion means more than the love of truth, division reigns supreme.
Even today, the Church, which was supposed to be "the example the world needs to change course," remains a source of conflict. To obscure the truth of the Gospel, some believers (and even some members of the Church) hide behind tags and groups, as was the case in the Temple in Jerusalem. Pharisees thought they were the best (Luke 18:11), Sadducees did not believe in angels and pure spirits, and so on. (Matthew 16:1; Acts of the Apostles 23:8) Jesus was crucified not for those who call themselves conservative, traditionalist, or liberal. No, he did not suffer for group divisions but for the salvation of humankind. He did not send his Church into the world to defend Latin or a sentimental ideology reflecting only human traditions. He sent us so that, through the message of the cross, the world might be saved. Saint Paul was right when he declared loudly and clearly, "When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with lofty words or wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2) Division is the work of the Devil, while unity is the prerogative of God. While the world sinks into spiritual ignorance and cultural paganism, factions within the Church fight amongst themselves over vanity.
May the message of unity from our Lord prevail over all our human weaknesses so that the world may believe as He so clearly told us: "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35) Unity is the visible sign expressing that the Church comes from Christ.
