when church is not united...
"If a kingdom is torn by civil strife, that kingdom cannot last." —Mark 3:24
According to Jesus' words, the Church in her present state of division will not survive. "If a household is divided according to loyalties, that household will not survive" (Mk 3:25). However, we know that the Church will last forever because the Lord has promised this (see Mt 16:18). Therefore, we know the Church will be united. This unity will be achieved (Eph 2:15) by God's grace, accepted by faith, and expressed in repentance.
How will the Holy Spirit convict us of our sins of division in the body of Christ? One of the outstanding ways in which the Spirit will lead us to repent may be related to the massacre of millions of babies through abortion. Many people have come to realize that a united Church would have used her God-given authority to prevent and stop abortion. Hence the results of our disunity are not minimal but catastrophic. If this doesn't motivate us to repent, we must not love babies, their parents, or the Lord, their Creator and Savior.
When we are in unity, we are in power. When Christians are in power, we are not trapped in a "culture of death" (Pope John Paul II) but instead we usher in a "civilization of love" (Pope Paul VI) and of life. To choose life, we must choose unity and repentance. Repent!
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to make us one as You and Jesus are one (Jn 17:21).
Promise: "I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when my hands were laid on you. The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly Spirit, but rather One That makes us strong, loving, and wise." —2 Tm 1:6-7
Praise: Timothy almost quit pastoring the Ephesian church, but persevered at Paul's encouragement to stir into flame the Holy Spirit (2 Tm 1:6-7).
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, June 1, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 9, 1997