The Gospel for this Sunday is an excerpt from Jesus’s lengthy prayer just prior his death asking the Father for three precious gifts for the church: that its members always remain united, that they stand fast against the world’s hatred of them, and that they be conscious of being sent by Christ as heralds of the gospel. A report card on how Christians through the ages have heeded our Lord’s prayer might not have any clear A’s, but perhaps a few B’s and lots of Cs.
Unifying love . In the first century the church stayed united despite major division regarding the extent to which non-Jewish followers of Jesus had to adopt Jewish practices. The synod of Jerusalem deserves great credit for uniting the factions, and in the following centuries councils and church leaders succeeded in achieving clarity on potentially divisive doctrines. From the ninth centuries onward, however, the two great sees of Rome and Constantinople gradually grew apart, the final breach coming in 1054. The sixteenth century Protestant Reformation led to the further breakup of Christian unity and to the founding of churches sometimes at war with each other. Disunion continues today on the local level, but nationally and internationally, fortunately, cooperation continues.
Standing Fast against the World’s Hatred. Inevitably, Christians took their place among the shapers of modern society, especially in Europe and the Americas. Many people, however, took on the habits and customs of the powerful, so that it was sometimes difficult to see how so-called Christian leaders differed from non-Christian leaders in leading the way in peacemaking, care for the poor, and personal morality.
Consciousness of being sent. Becoming a politician is a great vocation, often difficult but still a great opportunity to serve. One can also serve in other places than in the political arena. It is often hard, however, to see Christians as a redemptive presence in the world, and to see Christians as markedly different from those outside the church.
Yet Christ’s prayer remains a powerful incentive today. Grace will be given to serve. May we be conscious of Christ’s example and command as we live our live and plan our futures.