Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 / Luke 11:1-4
Unity is indeed a very powerful sign. In the secular sense, unity is a sign of solidarity and brotherhood.
When the
Church stands united as one, it is not just a sign of solidarity and
brotherhood; it is also a sign of God's presence that unites all in one
heart and mind.
Furthermore,
the Church is to be a sign of unity, uniting people with God through
worship, through charity and proclaiming the Good News of God's saving
love for all people.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul understood the importance of unity especially in the proclamation of the Good News.
Hence he
took the effort to meet up with the elders of the Church, people like
Peter, James and John, and he also brought along Barnabas and Titus so
that all would have a common understanding and solidarity in the work of
proclaiming the Good News.
All seemed
well and good and in harmony until Peter did something which Paul
thought was wrong. Peter had been eating with pagans but he stopped and
kept away from them for fear of those Jewish Christians who would
criticize him for eating with the uncircumcised.
Needless
to say, there was a confrontation between Paul and Peter. It would
seemed that the unity that was forged with so much effort was
breaking up.
Yet the
issue would be resolved and unity would be restored. But that would not
mean that the unity would not face any more challenges again.
There
would always be challenges to the unity of the Church because the powers
of evil are out to break up the Church and to scatter the believers.
But as we
reflect and pray the prayer that Jesus taught us, the very first two
words "Our Father" would would tell us that we must be united with each
other because we believe that God is our Father and we are brothers and
sisters in Christ.
Unity can
be achieved with forgiveness. But without forgiving each other, we would
be torn apart and scattered. So let us forgive each other, just as God
has forgiven us.