Be united as one

 Over the recent weeks following the deaths of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and George Cardinal Pell, it is easy to see how divisions can come to the fore and how easily they can become the focus of our attention. It is easy to see how these can be fueled to produce more heat than light. People can passionately put forward their points of view that can see the serious differences that exist. There is always a sense in which we can lobby for one camp or another.

Yet divisions within the Church are not new as we see in Saint Paul's letter to the Corinthians. It is easy to see how strong personalities can become the catchphrase that seeks to resolve any debate. Hence people live by slogans like, 'I am for Paul', 'I am for Apollos', 'I am for Cephas', or 'I am for Christ'! The reality is that it can be easy to adopt patterns of behavior that seem to work in other forums and that mirror secular patterns of debate. Yet Paul points to the reality of the Cross as the way in which disputes are resolved. This emphasizes that on our own we can notice more what separates us rather than what it is that unites us. We do not ignore differences but we do need to see that our communion with each other is at the heart of preaching the Gospel. We need to be united in belief and practice.

This is where I believe that the process of listening to the voice of God is at the centre of our lives. This is where we seek to notice where our prayer seeks to bring the conflicting voices within ourselves to silence. This is not to negate our own personalities, learnings, or gifts but rather to provide a space in which we can welcome others. It is in this sacred space that people of all backgrounds, cultures, and standpoints can be transparent about how we believe God is speaking to our age building on the traditions of our faith. We seek to promote the person of Jesus Christ who seeks to shed light on our own age. This witness allows us to seek ways in which we can travel with each other and talk along the way. 

We are called to be pilgrim people who seek to proclaim the Gospel. In the words of the psalmist, we seek the Lord who is our light and our salvation. We seek the Lord's goodness in the land of the living by placing our hope in God. In this, we discover what sweetens and savors our life. This incarnate way of life proclaims that God is at the heart of all creation and is ever-ancient and forever new.