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Unity and disunity -- these words are more than mere opposites. Certainly when unity exists things are together; where disunity reigns things are apart. There is more, however, to understanding these terms. Unity is something that is quite natural. It is the flow of nature, for humans and the world in general. Unity is something we seek; it does our world good to seek and find unity. Disunity, on the other hand, is seldom found in nature. Disunity is unnatural and not desired by humans; disunity is to be avoided.

Since unity is that which we desire, we need to find images that help us to picture this idea. One good example is alloy metals. Alloys are mixtures of two dissimilar metals which when united form a third substance which is stronger, longer lasting and more durable than either of the original two metals from which it is made. Energy is needed to bind the metals into a specific lattice structure so that they can possess the qualities needed for our specific applications. Rivers are another example of the unity in nature. Tributaries of a river flow into the whole. The larger river is stronger, deeper, and more useful than the tributaries from which it is formed. The boundaries of the river, its banks, hold it together, allowing it to flow freely and sustain much life in the process.

Humans seek unity as well. The peoples of nations seek unity. We live in the United States, a group of fifty sovereign or independent states. Yet these individual states choose to band together as one. What binds them together is the law of the land, the Constitution. In the United States the charism of the Declaration of Independence, which says, "All people are created equal," also binds us together. Nations band together in international groups such as the United Nations, NATO, and a host of similar world bodies. Humans seek unity in a more generic sense through the concept of community. It may be a neighborhood watch group, a community-action organization, or even a religious community of men or women. The bond here is the common issue, the common commitment, or the common way of life. The Church is a community of faith where people come to worship, gain strength, and live more fully.

Jesus gathered a community of twelve apostles as the base of what became the Church. These men walked the road with the Lord, heard his words, and witnessed his many miracles. They were entrusted with a mission to spread Jesus' message of love and peace to all people. The apostles were a group united by the presence of Jesus. But as the Lord prepared to leave our world and return to the Father the apostles were faced with the need to continue the work, a daunting task without their leader. The mission was even more complex since the unity of the apostles had been broken. Judas, as Scripture says, was destined to be the Lord's betrayer, to go his own way. Although his loss was predicted, it created a rupture in the unity, which needed to be repaired. Thus, the apostles huddled together and began truly to understand through its lived experience the beauty and power of community.

Luke in this section of the Acts of the Apostles tells us that those first Christians gathered together in prayer to seek the strength that they needed to persevere in a difficult world, an environment which was often hostile to their presence. Jesus had taught these men the value of community during his public ministry. The Lord did not operate alone, but rather taught and performed his many magnificent signs in the presence of those whom he had gathered when he first left Galilee. The apostles huddled together without their leader out of fear, a normal human reaction in such circumstances; they knew the community was their source of strength. In an unfriendly world they began to count on others to share their joys, burdens, fears, and pains. They welcomed into their group others who shared their beliefs and had walked the road with Jesus, including women who had been in their company from the beginning.

We must seek unity in our lives, both within our own person and with those whom we encounter in our daily lives. Community, the unity we seek, is an integral aspect of the Christian call to holiness. We do not walk the road of faith alone; we walk with other pilgrims and in this way discover strength for the journey. Today we often hear people say, "If you want it done right, do it yourself." This statement is expedient; it often saves us time, which is in far too short supply. We mistakenly think, however, that if we do it ourselves it will be done correctly and efficiently. Our statement indicates a lack of trust in another and an unwillingness on our part to allow a person to enter into our lives. We present an attitude of personal isolation. We say in effect, "I don't need you." The reality is, however, that although the task might be completed more slowly and with less efficiency the first time another tackles it, things will eventually be better and (in the end) time saved since we will not need to complete the task or have the responsibility. If we can take the time now to teach another how to complete a task, we aid that person and more importantly build the community that we so desperately need. We make a great mistake when we perceive ourselves to be invincible, that we can "go it alone" without the love and support of others.

How do we build community? What is the glue that holds different people together and allows them to act as a unity of one? The answer most assuredly is love. Love is a small word, but we all know that it is very complex. The ancient Greeks, a very intelligent and highly civilized society, also realized that love was a complicated idea. In philosophy and in language the Greeks used three different words to express the concept of love, realizing its complexity. The first type of love for the Greeks was phileo, brotherly and sisterly love, which is expressed between siblings and best friends. The second word was eros, romantic love, expressed between one man and one woman. This type of love is centered in self. Although we may give much to the one we love, eros is an emotion which is self-satisfying. This is a personal need which all people feel and desire. The third form of love, and for the Greeks the highest expression, is agapao, commonly known as agape. This is the love that we outwardly express in our service, ministry, and relations with others. Agape is centered on the other, not the self. It is, therefore, a special and powerful love which is rooted in the Christian understanding of faith and Jesus' message of love and service.

Agape must be the expression of our lives in our relationships with others. This must be the glue which binds our community together, giving strength and making us one in our common task to carry out Jesus' mission in our world. There will be many obstacles and hurdles in our personal and communal lives of faith, but with the bond of love for God, one another, and the mission that we undertake, we can negotiate them and find ourselves as individuals and community stronger because of the trial.

As followers of Jesus we have been commissioned through baptism to live lives of holiness, service, and ministry. We must not act alone but within the community of the Church which will give us the purpose for our efforts, the strength to endure, and the peace that only the Lord can give. Let us wrap ourselves and those we know in the blanket of God's love which unites the Christian community, making us one in purpose, motive, and action. May the example of the those first Christians, the apostles and their friends, empower us to seek unity and peace in the bond of community with Christ Jesus as our capstone and source of light, love, and peace.