so that they may all be one
Jesus calls us to a unity with him and with our fellow disciples that transcends any natural human parallel. This unity should mean more than that we simply occupy the same space as one another while being nice to one another. We typically prefer to achieve unity by intentionally avoiding conflict, by leaving others as free as possible to do there own thing, and especially by avoiding challenging or making demands of one another. The sort of unity we prefer might qualify as the utopian vision of some, but it is not that for which Jesus prayed.
that the world may believe that you sent me.
If we are to be signs of the unity of the Triune God we must be something more than a well behaved kindergarten class on a good day. We are called to more than simply non-aggression and politeness. We are called to a unity that is based on our love for one another, not it the sense of sentimentality so much as of concrete willingness to sacrifice for one another, to bear one another's burdens, and yes, to challenge one another when appropriate. It is only possible to love in this way when we know and can reference the final purpose of the lives of those whom we love, which is to be happy with God forever in heaven. Union of love is only possible when there is also a union of truth.
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
The unity to which Jesus calls us is not something we can achieve on our own. We prefer to pursue our own ends, and to allow others into our story when the ends they pursue happen to coincide. We don't have a natural affinity for relationships that challenge us, and for the same reason, we prefer truths that allow for complacency in our lives. The only way that we can love in the way that we are called to love and to believe even things that are hurtful to our prideful ego is for Jesus to bring this about supernaturally in us.
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them.
The unity of Christians functions supernaturally. It is a gift of the Spirit, but one which clearly will not be present unless we open ourselves to it.
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (see Ephesians 4:2-3).
We have lately been reading about how profoundly this unity connected Paul to those for whom he was responsible. Acts reveals a Church united in truth, united in love, with mission as its shared purpose. But let us also remember that Paul was not afraid to speak difficult words to those whom he loved, whether the Galatians, or Peter himself. It was because he was genuine in this way that people came to love him as they did.
The reading from Acts this morning might function as more of a cautionary tale about the flimsiness of the world's attempts at unity that are not grounded in truth. Let us take heed of that as we strive to understand and be united in the truth given to us in the Church. Without intentionally making that truth our own we will be at risk for just the sort of disputes as we read about today.
I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.”
When he said this,
a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees,
and the group became divided.
Scripture reminds us, "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (see Psalm 133:1). Have we experienced this unity before, perhaps with a close friend or in a faith sharing group? How might we experience more of it in our lives? It does tend to require that we make ourselves vulnerable. But when we are guided to do so by the Spirit in these contexts we will find that it is worth it.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one
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