Christ’s prayer for unity reminds us how important it is for us to seek peace and harmony with those around us. It is so easy to fall into self-righteousness and to use what we think the truth is as a weapon of hatred believing that we have become the defenders of justice. The truth is ultimately that the Father loves the Son and that they are one. This truth is ours to believe so that the unity of Father and Son becomes part of our own life and that their unity becomes the root and cause of our union with others. Justice, truth, righteousness, are expected of us within the context and as a consequence of Love, otherwise they become destructive.
Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Chrysostom:
This is success for a teacher, to educate his disciples by his own accomplishments.… Notice, if you please, the character of the teaching here. He lays down love and bravery. “I kept back nothing,” he says, thereby showing both generosity and resoluteness. “Of what was profitable.” Well said! For there were things that they did not need to learn. For just as it is envy not to say some things, so it is folly to say everything. For this reason he adds, “of what was profitable,” that is, “I not only spoke but also taught.” He means he was not doing this merely for form’s sake.
Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Growth in the Christian life happens as we become increasingly aware, in faith, of Christ’s presence. For someone who is baptised, the core of their being is drenched with Christ, with His Blood, with His Love, with His Holy Spirit. We must be careful not to equate our Christian practices with our Christian life. I do not cease to be a Christian when I stop praying, or when I watch a movie, when I eat, or when I do something foolish or even when I sin. Life in Christ is not determined by good morals or being on one’s best behavior or setting the example for others or being pleased with ourselves. Grace certainly plays an active role in our continued conversion and sanctification – and this transformation requires our cooperation – but grace is primarily about making us more deeply and increasingly aware of the presence of God.