Sunday, May 25, 2025
On the 35th day of the 50-day Easter season, we focus on anticipating the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The ringing message from today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles is Christian unity achieved through the Holy Spirit’s intercession. We see the early Church grappling with salvation in light of Mosaic Law. As the apostles and elders gather to deliberate on this matter, they turn to the Holy Spirit for guidance and come to an agreement. This shows the importance of discernment and unity within the Church. Let us reflect deeper into the call to unity.
At the conclusion of the Last Supper Discourse, John 14-17, Jesus prayed to the Father at the moment he was offering Himself. In this prayer, Jesus intercedes for his disciples and all those who will believe through their word. He prayed for future generations of believers and for their unity. “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us.” —John 17:20, 21. The unity of Christ’s followers was so important to our Lord that he prayed for it even as He prepared for His suffering and death. If we are indifferent towards Christian unity, do we have the Spirit of Jesus in us?
Paul, while imprisoned, wrote to the early Christian believers living in the city of Philippi, pleading with them to live in unity, humility, and selfless concern for one another. “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.” —Philippians 2:1-4. Paul sees these qualities as essential for a healthy and thriving Christian community and points to Christ’s example as the ultimate model for such behavior.
In his inaugural homily last Sunday, Pope Leo XIV spoke extensively about unity: “I would like that our first great desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world… We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! … This is the missionary spirit that must animate us; not closing ourselves off in our small groups, nor feeling superior to the world. We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people.”
By seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, engaging in prayer, embracing conversion of heart, and focusing on shared values, we actively contribute to the cause of Christian unity and help fulfill Christ’s desire that all may be one.
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.