Daily HOMILY for June 5, 2014: Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter

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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute.  Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more:  https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/

Thursday 7^th Week of Easter

Springfield Priests’ Retreat

June 5, 2014

THE QUESTION OF UNITY +++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  It is more and more apparent that any “unity” of XTXS that is to be realized will have to coexist with differences in the way we worship, the way we are organized, and even in beliefs

Ø  Ideals of uniformity for all XTNS stem from a much later period than the NT which knew much diversity

Ø  Christians can be united to God without sharing every practice, law, and dogma of every church

2 TYPES OF UNITY +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  There is a unity of which Jesus speaks in his great prayer for unity which is like that between him and the Father

Ø  In this unity believers become one because of their union by faith with the Father and Jesus

Ø  We become one by reason of Jesus living in us and the Father living in him

Ø  This is a unity with God and the Father and Jesus Christ which is different from organizational unity

LIVING WITH A DIFFERENT UNITY +++++++++++++++++

Ø  Ultimate unity of XTNS will have to be based in this union with Father and Son, in the Spirit

Ø  And this unity will accept differences, even disagreements, on a host of matters

Ø  The Catholic Church and many other churches have long accepted that baptism joins us to Christ and we no longer re-baptize believers who seek full communion with the Catholic Church

Ø  Jesus is saying in today’s Gospel that joined to him we are also being indwelt by the Father and are all one in the Father and him

CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  It seems that that is more important than whether or not we use a particular formula in our services, have a particular church government, or celebrate Easter on different dates.

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