Yesterday was “National Unity Day”. Unity Day is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month and it has been recognized in the United States since 2011. To participate in Unity Day, individuals, schools, communities, and businesses wear or display orange to show support for students who have been bullied. One in five school-age children report being bullied at school. It’s a shame we have to declare a special day to recognize and accept our disunity when it comes to the simple truth of protecting our children.
In
Today’s Gospel (Lk 12:49-53) Jesus says “Do you think that I have come to
establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on
a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a
father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother
against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against
her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Sometimes the
Gospel brings about a certain disunity.
Throughout history, for example, Christians have been severely
persecuted for their faith. The example
of many martyrs reveals that those who live the faith and preach it may become
the target of another.
In our world
today, there are Christians who are persecuted simply for being Christian. There are Muslims who are persecuted simply for
being Muslim. Even the different “denominations”
of Christians as well as the different “sects” of Islam disagree to the point
of violence against one another. In the “United” States of America, even ‘households
of five’ are being torn apart by Democrat vs Republican. Labels like ‘alt-left’ and ‘alt-right’, ‘fascists
and socialist’, ‘lib-tard’ and ‘repuke’—do those sound like an attempt at
achieving unity?
As little as 20
years ago a national tragedy was a time for ALL of humankind to stand behind
one another and support each other and console each other. After the basic HUMAN KINDNESS was
administered, causes were investigated so the same tragedies could be
avoided. Nowadays there is always someone
to blame (rightly or wrongly) for every tragedy before the last shot has been fired
or the last fire put out. And attempts to prevent reoccurrences are delayed or
even forgotten because of the failure of some to accept THE truth. There is no time for THE truth to be found, so
A truth is manufactured. The reason we
don’t really want THE truth is because THE truth is always harder to accept 100%.
Truth (with a capital ‘T’) is rarely
convenient, and our 21st century lifestyles demand convenience.
Yes, the real
cause of any disunity is the refusal on the part of some to accept the
truth. Do not be afraid of holding fast
to the truths Jesus gave us regardless of the reactions of others. If you are hated or mistreated as a result,
do not let yourself give in to compromise for the sake of “peace at all
costs.” That form of peace is not from
God and will never bring about true unity in Christ.
Lord, give me
grace to keep my eyes on You and Your will and to choose You above everything
else in life. When my faith is
challenged give me courage and strength to stay strong in Your love. Jesus, I trust in You.
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