One of the greatest desires we have as human beings is one that has been frustrated throughout the course of human history.  It is the desire and need we all have for unity with one another.  To be viable and effective this unity must be based on mutual respect, concern, understanding and ultimately love.  Those who seek to bring us together are frequently ostracized, considered unrealistic and even put to death.  Jesus came to make us one with Himself and the Father as we hear in today’s gospel, yet he was rejected by those who seemingly should have listened to him and known better.  His work for unity led to crucifixion by those who wanted nothing to do with him.  Jesus did not fit into their understanding of God and their "religious" way of life.  In the past century Gandhi was assassinated in India and Anwar Sadat was assassinated in Egypt.  Both of these men sought to bring peace and unity to their people and all people. 

We feel powerless to bring unity on an international level.  The war in Iraq is very frustrating.  Everyday the violence and killing continues.  More than 1,000,000 Iraqis have died and more than 4,000 American troops have lost their lives.  How can we find a resolution to this conflict and bring peace?  There is not a simple answer from a human point of view.  But in Jesus we see the way to peace is paved with the willingness to speak with one another, to look beyond and forgive past hurts, and to come to understand and respect one another.  Not only do we see this out in the world, we also experience it in our own lives.  Family members don’t speak with one another for years, friends part ways, marriages end in divorce and bitterness festers, we disagree with and criticize our fellow Americans who do not think like we do, parishioners dislike, distrust and are angry with one another.  This list goes on and on.  All of us are all too familiar with that tense feeling that estrangement and anger causes.  We ignore, bad mouth and look for more and more faults in those with whom we are at odds.  We also feel the tension when two people we love will not speak with one another and refuse to take the steps for reconciliation. 

Our union with Jesus brings us into unity with Him, the Father, our brothers and sisters in the Church and all people God has created.  Today’s gospel can be a little misleading.  Jesus speaks about his Father’s house having dwelling places and that he is going to prepare a place for us.  That does not mean there will be separate, segregated places in heaven.  That is a contradiction of what the fullness of life in God’s presence is all about.  There will not be a white, middle class room with restricted admittance.  There will not be a room where those we do not like or are prejudiced against will be.  That too is a contradiction.  It still amazes and disappoints me that people call and tell me that certain priests are not acceptable for their weddings or funerals.  The thought that ultimately comes to my mind is that if Jesus had that attitude we are all in trouble.  Jesus did not speak English.  Yet we have faith that God knows and loves us all.  As we heard last Sunday, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who calls each of his sheep, you and I, by name.  He calls us by name because he loves us.  He sees far beyond our faults and sinfulness to the goodness and love in our hearts. 

Everything that prevents and keeps us from building unity and community with one another is the result of sin.  The refusal to listen, to be open to the concerns and viewpoints of others, the unwillingness to be humble and take the initiative and reach out, the anger that continues to fuel our thoughts, the denial of forgiveness or apologies are all the work of evil.  In His Resurrection Jesus rose above sin and evil and came back to share His New Life with us.  This New Life is given to us in baptism and sustains and challenges us in our journey through life.  Unity and community cannot be imposed on us or by us.  But each of us is critical to their presence or absence.  In today’s gospel Jesus tells us that our unity with Him will make us one with the Father.  He shares who He is and who He loves with us.  Union and community with him open our minds and hearts and extend our vision and understanding of who we are as the children of God.  A very simple question to consider in light of today’s gospel is: Am I a help or a hindrance to unity in my family, friendships, workplace, community, Church, America and the world.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Are we in step with Him? 

Father Walden