the big one
"It is He Who is our Peace, and Who made the two of us one." —Ephesians 2:14
The purpose of life is to be one with God and one with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus is praying that we would be one as He and His Father are One (Jn 17:21). Jesus wants His Church to be one body (see 1 Cor 12:12ff) and not many denominations. We are to be of "one heart and one mind" (Acts 4:32). The Lord has created marriage so that the two spouses become one flesh (Mt 19:6) and lead "one, big, happy family." In the USA, we even pledge to be "one nation under God."
Unity is the essence of life. Without unity, we are hopeless and loveless. Nevertheless, we naturally are divided rather than united. We are trapped in division and cursed in isolation. Jesus, however, has worked the miracle of unity by dying on the cross, rising from the dead, pouring out the Holy Spirit, and giving us a new nature capable of unity. Jesus died "to gather into one all the dispersed children of God" (Jn 11:52).
Thank Jesus for making us one. Accept the grace of Trinity-unity to become one with the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit. Repent of sin and division. Go to Holy Communion and union. Be one in Christ forever.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to make us one (Eph 4:3).
Promise: "In His own flesh He abolished the law with its commands and precepts, to create in Himself one new man from us who had been two and to make peace, reconciling both of us to God in one body through His cross." —Eph 2:15-16
Praise: In obedience to God's Word, John reconciled with an old friend to whom he hadn't spoken in over ten years.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Unity Gifts on audio AV 3A-3 or video V-3A.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002