Finding Unity Through Christ
Sermon
Sermons on the Second Readings
Series II, Cycle B
Nature is filled with examples of how the world functions better when things come together and act as one. Ancient philosophers understood this need for unity quite well. In their efforts to explain the world that they observed, they postulated, without the advantage of modern science, that all things were composed of four basic elements: earth, water, air, and fire. Everything that existed was a measured combination of these four elements and could exist in no other way. Earth was the "stuff" of the object observed. Water was added to the stuff to form it into various objects, be it a rock, tree, or human being; air was what filled the stuff. Fire was the glue that solidified the earth, air, and water combination. All things existed as a combination where four became one.
Ancient civilizations also discovered, I am sure quite by accident, the value of alloy metals. Probably around some evening fire two dissimilar metals were melted, mixed, and then when cooled formed a third metal which was stronger, longer lasting, and more durable than either of its constituent elements. Brass and bronze are good examples. Brass is a combination of copper and zinc; bronze is a fusion of copper and tin. The copper, zinc, and tin each contribute in important and unique ways to create the third metal. Brass and bronze can exist in only these ways.
A river system is another example of nature's desire for unity. The Mississippi River system is a good example. The Mississippi itself is formed in the northern regions of Minnesota from a combination of several tributaries. As it flows south it combines with additional rivers, two of which, the Ohio and Missouri, are mighty in their own rights. When the Mississippi flows into the Gulf of Mexico it is a unity of many rivers which act as one.
What is observed in nature is also found in human relationships. Why, one might ask, would fifty independent states choose to be one United States of America? The answer must be that these sovereign governments believe that they will be stronger, more serviceable, and better able to handle the normal ups and downs of life as a unity of one. Why do men and women come together in marriage? Again, the people believe they will be stronger and of better service to the world as a couple compared with individuals. Why do people who live in close proximity join together in neighborhood watch programs for protection and celebrate together in block parties? Surely the answer is that such unity makes for better ends for all.
The unity of the created world and human relationships is not accidental, but a very purposeful reality that presents an important message for Christians in their daily walk with the Lord. This same message of unity was preached by Saint Paul to the Christian community at Ephesus. We must listen to Paul and follow the natural movements of the created world and human relationships to find unity in our own lives, most especially in our relationships with our brothers and sisters.
The age-old adage, "united we stand, divided we fall," was certainly applied to the nascent Christian community after Jesus' return to the Father. The "New Way," or Judeo-Christian community, was forced to seek unity. During Jesus' life his disciples gathered together and followed in the Lord's footsteps, but after his ascension they came together out of fear and the hope that a united front would gain them strength. Through presenting a united front and a common message, including a common way of life, the fledgling Christian community gained strength. We must remember that the environment in which Christianity arose was quite hostile to the precepts and teaching of Jesus.
The pagan Roman civilization was at best tolerant and at worst openly aggressive against the Christian community. The early church tradition is filled with heroic stories of martyrs, like Ignatius of Antioch, Felicitas, and Perpetua. History tells us of infamous persecutions under Nero, Diocletian, and other Roman Emperors. The Jewish community was often hostile as well. Jesus' claim to be the Messiah was rejected by many and his proclamation to be the Son of God was abhorrent for it threatened the monotheism which was so central to Jewish belief. The Acts of the Apostles (4:32-37) specifically says that the followers of Jesus banded together, holding all things in common. Christians, in imitation of Jesus, worked for the collective good; their very survival depended on their ability to be united.
Local Christian communities banded together in "house churches," meeting each Sunday morning and worshiping in secret, staying one step ahead of any authorities who might want to cease their operations. These small groups of Christians grew over time as a result of the strength that their unity provided. This vitality came not through numbers, but from common beliefs, goals, attitudes, and a standard way of life. People truly did their best to mirror the life and message of Christ in a world that rejected their message.
Saint Paul, having extensively traveled the Mediterranean world, knew better than most the hostile environment that the message of Jesus and his followers encountered. Paul, or as many scripture scholars suggest, one of Paul's close associates, wrote from prison to the Christian community at Ephesus. This was a pagan city where the worship of the goddess Artemis was widespread and significant. Many in the city made their living by selling souvenirs or attending to the other needs of the many pilgrims who came to Ephesus to worship Artemis. Having spent time in the city, Paul knew the environment and thus he calls in today's Second Reading for the people to live united by being faithful to the vocation to which they have been called. He suggests that this unity, this faithfulness to purpose, will be achieved through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God must be their bond and unity of peace. Paul did not believe that there were various types of Christians; the community needed to be united. Thus, he writes to the Ephesians and speaks of being "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all" (4:5-6a). Paul is clearly trying to demonstrate that the Christian community must be one of heart, attitude, and way of life if it wants to survive in the hostile environment of pagan Ephesus.
While Paul is clear that a commonality in mind and heart is essential, there are several routes that individuals can follow to achieve this unified belief. There are various ways that the Spirit manifests himself as we practice different vocations depending on our talents and the opportunities that life sends our way. Some of us are apostles, others prophets, still others evangelists, pastors, or teachers. These varied ministries have, however, one unified purpose. Our solidarity is found in a common faith and knowledge of God. This common belief evolves and grows over time. We are called to grow from children into adults in our faith. We can do so by an openness to learning and a progressive attitude that says, "I do not have all the answers." We must in essence keep our eyes and attention fixed on Christ, who in the end must be both the source and the binding force of our unity as Christians. It is the unity we share through Christ that allows us to flourish in this world. Paul fully understood that this fledgling group of Christians would never survive in the hostile environment of the day if its members went their own ways. Thus, he shares with them the absolute need for a unified attitude, approach, and most importantly, faith.
The unity that Paul suggests for the Christian community at Ephesus has been the hallmark and tower of strength for countless groups and movements throughout human history. It is true, "united we stand, divided we fall." In American history we can look at just a few examples. How was it possible for a band of disorganized, ill-prepared, and fortified colonists to defeat the might of the British Empire in the American Revolution? We all recall from our history books that our forebears rallied around the common battle cry, "Taxation without representation is tyranny." I am sure as well, that Patrick Henry's immortal words, "Give me liberty or give me death," stirred many to unified action. The unity of purpose and attitude galvanized the rag-tag colonists into a force that shocked the world.
About one century later another group of Americans unified under the banner called the "Anti-Saloon League." Believing that drink was the cause of many social problems, League members banded together in a unified effort to change attitudes and practices in American culture. While the overall efficacy of this movement can certainly be judged in varied ways, historically, one cannot deny it was the League's united front that was the principle catalyst to the passage and ratification of the eighteenth (prohibition) amendment of the Constitution. More recently, it was the united movement of non-violent resistance, practiced principally by Martin Luther King, Jr., that was the rallying cry to the American Civil Rights Movement and the transformation in laws and attitudes of Americans. In each case it was the unity of people, their ideas, attitudes, and practices that brought success to their various efforts. Division and dissension would have been disastrous to the American colonists and would have frustrated the efforts of the Anti-Saloon League and the Civil Rights Movement.
People today unfortunately have a tendency to concentrate far too much on what is different or divides. While nationalism can create a great sense of unity, excessive nationalism or jingoism, can be highly problematic, for it creates major divisions. Nations divide on many lines -- economics, political ideology, religion, and social structure. The tendency is to exalt one nation's beliefs or ways of operation to the detriment of others. Almost by definition, nations separate themselves by placing what they do and how they think above others. This type of thinking is highly destructive to the concept of a world community. We don't seem to see or recognize our need to view all people of the world as our sisters and brothers. In business we all know that competition is keen and central to the capitalism we practice. However, as with nationalism, excessive competitive spirit can lead to greed, unfair business practices, and unlawful methods of operation -- all in an effort to get ahead of the other guy. The other company should not be the enemy, but a competitor that is seeking the same goal. In our personal relationships, too often we associate only with those who are the same economic, social, ethnic, or racial background. We see what is different and ignore the basic humanity we all share as creations of God.
Tragically, the area where we see division most is, as they say, in our own backyard -- our practice of religion. All religious denominations protect their turfs, often using tactics, words, and methods that are completely inconsistent with the teachings that the faith proclaims as its creed. We seldom overtly seek what is common, but tend to concentrate on what divides. I am sure that Christ is somewhat disappointed with us in this area. Catholics and Protestants feud with each other and with their own members. Honest and sincere dialogue is one thing, but divisive words and actions are a whole other area. Christians and non-Christians divide over ideology and find it the source of world conflict. Jews and Muslims continue their seemingly perennial struggle in the holy land. Christians and Muslims often use religion as the pretext to promote the war on terror. It would be truly amazing to see what might happen if we worked together instead of acting in such distinctly separate ways. What might be achieved in the construction of God's kingdom in this world could be amazing!
The unity of God which Christians celebrate in the Trinity should be our goal. God is a community of love. We firmly believe that God is a unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. It is this same unity that is found naturally in the created world, human relationships, and countless movements over history that have sought to effect change, growth, or revolution in our world. Saint Paul understood the need for unity and preached the same, but he was only following the lead of his Lord and Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, who expressed it best in a prayer: "That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:21). Let us, my friends, believe, profess, and act the same.
Ancient civilizations also discovered, I am sure quite by accident, the value of alloy metals. Probably around some evening fire two dissimilar metals were melted, mixed, and then when cooled formed a third metal which was stronger, longer lasting, and more durable than either of its constituent elements. Brass and bronze are good examples. Brass is a combination of copper and zinc; bronze is a fusion of copper and tin. The copper, zinc, and tin each contribute in important and unique ways to create the third metal. Brass and bronze can exist in only these ways.
A river system is another example of nature's desire for unity. The Mississippi River system is a good example. The Mississippi itself is formed in the northern regions of Minnesota from a combination of several tributaries. As it flows south it combines with additional rivers, two of which, the Ohio and Missouri, are mighty in their own rights. When the Mississippi flows into the Gulf of Mexico it is a unity of many rivers which act as one.
What is observed in nature is also found in human relationships. Why, one might ask, would fifty independent states choose to be one United States of America? The answer must be that these sovereign governments believe that they will be stronger, more serviceable, and better able to handle the normal ups and downs of life as a unity of one. Why do men and women come together in marriage? Again, the people believe they will be stronger and of better service to the world as a couple compared with individuals. Why do people who live in close proximity join together in neighborhood watch programs for protection and celebrate together in block parties? Surely the answer is that such unity makes for better ends for all.
The unity of the created world and human relationships is not accidental, but a very purposeful reality that presents an important message for Christians in their daily walk with the Lord. This same message of unity was preached by Saint Paul to the Christian community at Ephesus. We must listen to Paul and follow the natural movements of the created world and human relationships to find unity in our own lives, most especially in our relationships with our brothers and sisters.
The age-old adage, "united we stand, divided we fall," was certainly applied to the nascent Christian community after Jesus' return to the Father. The "New Way," or Judeo-Christian community, was forced to seek unity. During Jesus' life his disciples gathered together and followed in the Lord's footsteps, but after his ascension they came together out of fear and the hope that a united front would gain them strength. Through presenting a united front and a common message, including a common way of life, the fledgling Christian community gained strength. We must remember that the environment in which Christianity arose was quite hostile to the precepts and teaching of Jesus.
The pagan Roman civilization was at best tolerant and at worst openly aggressive against the Christian community. The early church tradition is filled with heroic stories of martyrs, like Ignatius of Antioch, Felicitas, and Perpetua. History tells us of infamous persecutions under Nero, Diocletian, and other Roman Emperors. The Jewish community was often hostile as well. Jesus' claim to be the Messiah was rejected by many and his proclamation to be the Son of God was abhorrent for it threatened the monotheism which was so central to Jewish belief. The Acts of the Apostles (4:32-37) specifically says that the followers of Jesus banded together, holding all things in common. Christians, in imitation of Jesus, worked for the collective good; their very survival depended on their ability to be united.
Local Christian communities banded together in "house churches," meeting each Sunday morning and worshiping in secret, staying one step ahead of any authorities who might want to cease their operations. These small groups of Christians grew over time as a result of the strength that their unity provided. This vitality came not through numbers, but from common beliefs, goals, attitudes, and a standard way of life. People truly did their best to mirror the life and message of Christ in a world that rejected their message.
Saint Paul, having extensively traveled the Mediterranean world, knew better than most the hostile environment that the message of Jesus and his followers encountered. Paul, or as many scripture scholars suggest, one of Paul's close associates, wrote from prison to the Christian community at Ephesus. This was a pagan city where the worship of the goddess Artemis was widespread and significant. Many in the city made their living by selling souvenirs or attending to the other needs of the many pilgrims who came to Ephesus to worship Artemis. Having spent time in the city, Paul knew the environment and thus he calls in today's Second Reading for the people to live united by being faithful to the vocation to which they have been called. He suggests that this unity, this faithfulness to purpose, will be achieved through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God must be their bond and unity of peace. Paul did not believe that there were various types of Christians; the community needed to be united. Thus, he writes to the Ephesians and speaks of being "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all" (4:5-6a). Paul is clearly trying to demonstrate that the Christian community must be one of heart, attitude, and way of life if it wants to survive in the hostile environment of pagan Ephesus.
While Paul is clear that a commonality in mind and heart is essential, there are several routes that individuals can follow to achieve this unified belief. There are various ways that the Spirit manifests himself as we practice different vocations depending on our talents and the opportunities that life sends our way. Some of us are apostles, others prophets, still others evangelists, pastors, or teachers. These varied ministries have, however, one unified purpose. Our solidarity is found in a common faith and knowledge of God. This common belief evolves and grows over time. We are called to grow from children into adults in our faith. We can do so by an openness to learning and a progressive attitude that says, "I do not have all the answers." We must in essence keep our eyes and attention fixed on Christ, who in the end must be both the source and the binding force of our unity as Christians. It is the unity we share through Christ that allows us to flourish in this world. Paul fully understood that this fledgling group of Christians would never survive in the hostile environment of the day if its members went their own ways. Thus, he shares with them the absolute need for a unified attitude, approach, and most importantly, faith.
The unity that Paul suggests for the Christian community at Ephesus has been the hallmark and tower of strength for countless groups and movements throughout human history. It is true, "united we stand, divided we fall." In American history we can look at just a few examples. How was it possible for a band of disorganized, ill-prepared, and fortified colonists to defeat the might of the British Empire in the American Revolution? We all recall from our history books that our forebears rallied around the common battle cry, "Taxation without representation is tyranny." I am sure as well, that Patrick Henry's immortal words, "Give me liberty or give me death," stirred many to unified action. The unity of purpose and attitude galvanized the rag-tag colonists into a force that shocked the world.
About one century later another group of Americans unified under the banner called the "Anti-Saloon League." Believing that drink was the cause of many social problems, League members banded together in a unified effort to change attitudes and practices in American culture. While the overall efficacy of this movement can certainly be judged in varied ways, historically, one cannot deny it was the League's united front that was the principle catalyst to the passage and ratification of the eighteenth (prohibition) amendment of the Constitution. More recently, it was the united movement of non-violent resistance, practiced principally by Martin Luther King, Jr., that was the rallying cry to the American Civil Rights Movement and the transformation in laws and attitudes of Americans. In each case it was the unity of people, their ideas, attitudes, and practices that brought success to their various efforts. Division and dissension would have been disastrous to the American colonists and would have frustrated the efforts of the Anti-Saloon League and the Civil Rights Movement.
People today unfortunately have a tendency to concentrate far too much on what is different or divides. While nationalism can create a great sense of unity, excessive nationalism or jingoism, can be highly problematic, for it creates major divisions. Nations divide on many lines -- economics, political ideology, religion, and social structure. The tendency is to exalt one nation's beliefs or ways of operation to the detriment of others. Almost by definition, nations separate themselves by placing what they do and how they think above others. This type of thinking is highly destructive to the concept of a world community. We don't seem to see or recognize our need to view all people of the world as our sisters and brothers. In business we all know that competition is keen and central to the capitalism we practice. However, as with nationalism, excessive competitive spirit can lead to greed, unfair business practices, and unlawful methods of operation -- all in an effort to get ahead of the other guy. The other company should not be the enemy, but a competitor that is seeking the same goal. In our personal relationships, too often we associate only with those who are the same economic, social, ethnic, or racial background. We see what is different and ignore the basic humanity we all share as creations of God.
Tragically, the area where we see division most is, as they say, in our own backyard -- our practice of religion. All religious denominations protect their turfs, often using tactics, words, and methods that are completely inconsistent with the teachings that the faith proclaims as its creed. We seldom overtly seek what is common, but tend to concentrate on what divides. I am sure that Christ is somewhat disappointed with us in this area. Catholics and Protestants feud with each other and with their own members. Honest and sincere dialogue is one thing, but divisive words and actions are a whole other area. Christians and non-Christians divide over ideology and find it the source of world conflict. Jews and Muslims continue their seemingly perennial struggle in the holy land. Christians and Muslims often use religion as the pretext to promote the war on terror. It would be truly amazing to see what might happen if we worked together instead of acting in such distinctly separate ways. What might be achieved in the construction of God's kingdom in this world could be amazing!
The unity of God which Christians celebrate in the Trinity should be our goal. God is a community of love. We firmly believe that God is a unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. It is this same unity that is found naturally in the created world, human relationships, and countless movements over history that have sought to effect change, growth, or revolution in our world. Saint Paul understood the need for unity and preached the same, but he was only following the lead of his Lord and Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, who expressed it best in a prayer: "That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:21). Let us, my friends, believe, profess, and act the same.
