One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

Friday, 25 October 2024. Readings: Ephesians 4:1-6, Ps. 24:1-6, Luke 12:54-59

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)

As Christians, we should have an essential unity. How can we achieve this unity? Today’s First Reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and the Gospel passage gives us some insights:

- Bear with one another in love. People are not perfect. Learn to be understanding and sympathetic. Help others to grow rather than condemn them. St. Paul says, “Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:1-2). Throw out the bath water, but don’t throw away the baby.

- Do not let the sun set on your quarrel. Jesus tells us: “As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drags you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.” (Luke 12:58). The earlier you forgive and settle the case, the better. St. Paul writes: “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (Ephesians 4:26). The best time to quench a fire is when there is only a spark. The more it burns, the more difficult it becomes to quench.

- Towards the end of His public ministry, Jesus prayed: “That they may be one even as we are one. I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and loved them even as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:22-23). It is not to the glory of God that Christians fight or drag each other to court. It is more shameful when unbelievers settle our court cases. (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:6-7).

- Read the signs. Although Jesus told us always to be ready to account for our lives, the truth is that God, in His mercy, will never act without sending us warning signs. The problem is that we take these signs for granted or fail to understand them. Jesus said: “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (Luke 12:56).

- Learn to create time for meditation; sit down to examine everything happening in your life. Can you tell what God is saying to you now? Step back before you start a fight and think: Is it even worth it? What if God is calling my attention to something deeper? What if I am at fault and I should be the one to apologise?

- One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Remember that heaven has no branches. Some Christians behave as if churches compete with each other. News Flash: There is no such thing as Catholic Heaven, Pentecostal Heaven, or Protesters Heaven. We may not agree on doctrinal issues, but we are still brothers and sisters. Do not develop hatred for someone just because they do not attend your church or you do not like how they pray or how they honour Jesus’ mother.

- On the Last Day, God will not ask which church we attended. He will ask if we loved others as He loved us. Speaking to the Samaritan woman, Jesus said: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24).

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, keep us united with you and our fellow brothers and sisters. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Friday of week 29 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ephesians 4:1-6, Ps. 24:1-6, Luke 12:54-59).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu