Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

01-29-2017Weekly ReflectionFr. Brian Jazdzewski

There are some circles of thought which directed us to honor January 22 through 29 as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. As I compose this article, its Tuesday morning. I'm awaiting my trip to the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL to receive training for Samuel's arrival. I'm also unfortunately missing out on the opportunity to participate in snow clearing following the "snowstorm of the week." I also am getting ready to celebrate Mass with the Staff and students at Saint Boniface Catholic School on this Memorial Feast Day of Saint Francis de Sales. In the midst of it all, I'm joining millions of people around the world observing President Trump's transition into leadership.

So, regarding Christian Unity, are you working for unity or against unity? I'm not sure the question and answer can be so simple. However, during this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, each of us needs to spend some time reflecting upon the question. Are you working for unity or against unity? The answer may come within your family, community, nation and world. The answer may come regarding Christianity or simply just getting along with one another. Seemingly, many people in our nation do an amazing job pointing out differences; what are they and we doing to grow in unity?

I found today's saint to be rather pertinent to the matter in question. Francis left his wealthy family in 1593 to volunteer for a dangerous mission to serve as a priest in an area where Catholicism had very little voice. He was met with many difficult circumstances, including an attempted assassination. In the midst of it all, he continued to place his trust in Jesus and share the Gospel message in positive and inviting ways. As a consequence, Francis was named a bishop of that area and continued to be a messenger of the Gospel, particularly through nurturing individuals in their spiritual life. His witness is one of love for Jesus and others. Saint Francis de Sales is known for saying, "a spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar."

I also learned of another one of our Catholic heroes named Elisabeth Leseur (1866-1914). Her life was spent in noticing people's similarities rather than putting people down because of their differences. Interestingly, her husband was a staunch atheist. Following Elisabeth's death, her husband edited and published her spiritual writings and went on to become a Dominican priest. Our Christian history is full of heroes who have accomplished great things in rather small ways. Many of these heroes strived for efforts of unity, rather than division. They looked at what united people, rather than what divided them. Our challenge as individuals and community, is to continue to live counterculturally. We are called to highlight the good in the others around us and concentrate on how we are better together. Are you working for unity or against it.

May Saint Francis de Sales intercede for us so that we, like him and Elisabeth Leseur, work toward the unity which is at the core of the Gospel.

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