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The Time After Pentecost
with one another. In the same manner we bear witness to Christ, living the life of Christ.
In this way we show ourselves to be the true children of the Father and win His love for us.
But unfortunately, when it comes to being “one in heart and soul,” we often fail miserably.
The strength necessary for establishing this Christian unity comes to us from the Holy
Trinity. Our poor, fallen human nature does not easily accommodate itself to such unity. It is
hindered by envy, ambition, and selfishness; it is hampered by individual habits and customs; it
is fettered by our unchecked love of the trivial pleasures of the world. Moreover, true Christian
unity is made difficult by the diversity of temperaments and the persistence of self-will. All these
human weaknesses make an almost irresistible obstacle to that wish of our Lord, “that they may
be one.” A true unity, stripped of all hypocrisy and superficiality, can be achieved only by grace.
Grace is given to us precisely for the purpose of helping us to overcome all narrowness and
selfishness inherent in our fallen nature, that we may find it possible to live with one another
and for one another.
“And the glory which Thou hast given Me, I have given to them; that they may be one as We
also are one” ( Jn 17:22). The glory which is given to us is the glory of divine sonship, the result
of sanctifying grace. Why is this life of God, this life of the Blessed Trinity, given to us? In order
that we may be one as the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost are one. Sanctifying grace is
the result of our participation in the life of the Blessed Trinity. Such a participation must result
in the unity of heart and spirit. When sanctifying grace resides in the soul, all narrowness of
spirit and all isolation must be destroyed. We share in the glory of God, in the sonship of God,
to the degree that we separate ourselves from the world and acquire the generosity necessary
for sacrificing our own interests and our own wishes for those of our neighbor.
“That they may be one.” We all form one body with Christ. “Wherefore receive one another, as
Christ also hath received you, unto the honor of God” (Rom 15:7). “And if one member suffer
anything, all the members suffer with it; or if one member glory, all the members rejoice with
it” (1 Cor 12:26). But are we truly conscious that we form one body? Who of us can say that he
is ill when his neighbor is ill? Who of us is vexed when his neighbor is distressed? Who of us has
suffered because others have suffered misfortune? All about us there are so many in spiritual,
moral, and physical need, and yet we seem to be scarcely aware of it. Our consciousness of our
unity is so meager! Should we not feel our brother’s need? Should we not assist him in carrying
his burdens? To do so would indeed be in the true spirit of Christianity.
“Be ye merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Gospel). The Lord has commanded us not
to judge, nor to condemn, nor to pass sentence on anyone. But how do we obey this command?
We cannot overlook the splinter in our brother’s eye; yet we are incapable of seeing the beam
in our own eye (Gospel). Are we, then, really merciful? As long as we act in such a manner, can
we reasonably expect to receive mercy ourselves on the day of judgment? Are we unaware that
we may expect the grace of God and share in the divine sonship only in the measure in which
the zeal of charity burns in our soul?
“O Lord, be Thou merciful to me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee” (Gradual).
The liturgy directs our attention to the Eucharist and to our incorporation in Christ. From these
sources the spirit of Christ, the spirit of charity, must find its way into our souls. “I will speak of
all Thy marvelous works; I will be glad and rejoice in Thee; I will sing unto Thy name, O Thou
Most High” (Communion).
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