Ezekiel prophesied that the separated nations of Israel and Judah would become one, and that a descendant of David would be the one Shepherd for them all (Ez 37:24). Throughout the Old Testament, which chronicled an ever-increasing disunity, there were nevertheless occasional prophecies of unity and prayers for unity. For example, the psalmist prayed: "Behold, how good it is, and how pleasant, where brethren dwell at one!" (Ps 133:1) Nonetheless, such aspirations for unity seemed unrealistic in a hopelessly divided and dividing world.
Jesus also prayed for unity (see Jn 17:21), and His plan of salvation is to bring all things into one under His lordship (Eph 1:10). He is the Fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies on unity. Jesus not only prayed for and planned unity; He did it. As Caiaphas prophesied, Jesus died for the Jewish nation and for all nations to "gather into one all the dispersed children of God" (Jn 11:51-52).
Unity is the most expensive thing ever purchased. It cost the sacrificial death of the God-Man, Jesus. Therefore, accept, cherish, and preserve (Eph 4:3) this most precious gift of unity. May unity characterize every marriage, family, church, and ministry of our lives.
| PRAYER: | Father, as we stand on the threshold of Holy Week, make us "of one heart and one mind" (Acts 4:32). |
| PROMISE: | "Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did...put their faith in Him." –Jn 11:45 |
| PRAISE: | Martin's guitar string snapped during Mass. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that he was out of tune with God, just as was his own instrument in his hands. Martin repented of disdaining "the discipline of the Lord" (Heb 12:5). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College