The Certainty of Christian Unity
Hard to argue with the forthright logic of Chiara Lubich, founder of Focolare, a unity movement of the Roman Catholic Church. Sometimes we just need to be reminded!
The following is an excerpt from an article appearing in the current issue of Living City magazine, a publication of the Focolare Movement. The article quotes Lubich by way of her participation in an interdenominational conversation dating to November 1988. Her logic is just as persuasive today as it was 28 years ago.
“Though we continually assume that God wants it, we cannot see in detail what a united world would be like…nor can we see when this united world will come about. But some things are certain.
“First of all, I am convinced that Jesus wants it, because he said to his apostles, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news’ (Mk 16:15). Therefore, everyone is a candidate for unity, for the Gospel, for a united world–all are candidates. So the first thing that we can be sure of is that Jesus wants it.
“Secondly, we know for sure that Jesus prayed for unity. He prayed, ‘May they all be one’ (Jn 17:21), which means everyone. Since the Son of God prayed to the Father for this, I think it will have to be granted, because it is impossible for the prayer of the Son of God not to be granted.”
Lubich’s logic here is simple and strong–Jesus’ command to make disciples, and his prayer for the oneness of the Church, incite encouragement and confidence, because it is, after all, Jesus making the command and praying the prayer! May our time be God’s time for the fulfillment of his Beloved’s request.