the magnet of unity
"He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together." —Jeremiah 31:10
Jesus died on the cross "to gather into one all the dispersed children of God" (Jn 11:52). He is praying that we be one as He and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). Jesus makes us one by His being lifted up on the cross, in the Resurrection and the Ascension, to the right hand of the Father. Then He draws us to Himself, as He promised: "I — once I am lifted up from earth — will draw all men to Myself" (Jn 12:32). As we draw closer to Jesus, we draw closer to each other. As we converge on Jesus, we are united with each other. For example, to be more closely united with your spouse, you need to draw closer to Jesus and to pray that your spouse do the same.
Tomorrow we begin Holy Week. We focus on Jesus lifted up on the cross. Then, in the Easter season, we see Jesus lifted up in His Resurrection, Ascension, and glorification. The lifted up Jesus is drawing us powerfully to Himself and thereby to each other. The lifted up Jesus is the Magnet of unity. Let us pray: "Draw me!" (Sg 1:4)
Prayer: Father, I have been baptized in one Spirit into the one body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). Prepare me to renew my baptismal promises in a world-changing way.
Promise: "I will make them one nation upon the land, in the mountains of Israel, and there shall be one prince for them all." —Ez 37:22
Praise: St. John Baptist opened up his heart, his home, and was eventually led to sell all his goods for the love of the poor.
Reference: (For more teachings on unity, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82. How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82. How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46. Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000