Acts 20:28-38 / John 17:11-19
Whenever we hear this phrase "we agree to disagree", have we ever wondered what does that mean?
Whatever that means, most disagreements are caused by different perceptions that create different realities.
Such seems to be the case in the 1st reading between the Pharisees and the Sadducess when Paul brought up the topic of the resurrection.
There was no possibility of "agree to disagree" and the tension was so high that the tribune had to send troops to get Paul out of the situation.
The Pharisees and Sadducees saw their disagreement as an opportunity to inflict defeat and gain victory over the other.
But they failed to see that their disagreement fulfilled a divine intention - Paul was able to bear witness to the Lord, and he was now able to continue the mission from Jerusalem to Rome.
In the gospel, when Jesus prayed that we will all be one, surely He meant that we be united in Him.
But He didn't say that in this unity, there will be no disagreements. And certainly there have been, there are still and there always will be.
But the purpose of disagreement is not about victory or defeat; it is about progress and growth.
It is about praying together in the midst of the disagreements to discern what the Holy Spirit is saying and what is the divine intention.
We can disagree among ourselves, but in the end we must agree with what God is saying. Then there will be unity.