The division of the Christian Church into thousands of denominations is directly opposed to God's will. Jesus prays that we would all be one as He and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). Yet we have resigned ourselves to this scandal of division for hundreds of years. We have become accustomed to Christians' willful disobedience to God. We feel helpless to do anything about our divisions. At best, we pray sporadically that the Lord may miraculously intervene and restore unity to His Church.
We must do more than pray. Unity has its origin in the Spirit but is preserved by our efforts (Eph 4:3). We must "make every effort" (Eph 4:3) "to live a life worthy of the calling" (Eph 4:1) we have received, "with perfect humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another lovingly" (Eph 4:2). Are we making "every effort" if we don't even talk or pray with our "separated brethren"? Are we as concerned about this problem as if our fingers, hands, or arms were cut off from our bodies? Will we tolerate the dismembering of Christ's body or will we do something?
The Lord is doing something about the condition of His Body. Seek His will and obey Him.
| PRAYER: | Father, I'm sorry for my part in breaking up Your family by sin and apathy. Forgive me. |
| PROMISE: | "He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his Savior. Such is the race that seeks for Him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob." –Ps 24:5-6 |
| PRAISE: | Louise led her kidnapper to give his life to Jesus. He felt Jesus take away the hatred from his life. |
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