The Unity of the Holy Spirit

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 16 BCP 232)

Oh, unity. I read the Collect for this coming Sunday and I sigh. The Church, the global church of all Christian believers, hasn't seen unity since... well, ever. In our country, a country with United in the title, unity is a sacred word, its on our money (in Latin: e pluribus unum), its in our documents, and yet, it is definitely not a way of life for us. Unity doesn't seem to be a value we remember on a daily basis. 

Unity by definition means being in full agreement or oneness. While many Christians will fully agree on some aspects of our faith and life together, but there are many aspects we do not all agree on. I am sure that this brings God some sadness, and it brings the global church no end of arguments. Especially in our time of increasing polarization, the prayer for unity seems almost out of touch. How could we possibly have unity? 

Thankfully, God, working through the Holy Spirit can bring unity to the church and even further, to our communities, our families, and ourselves. The Holy Spirit knows the causes and values which can lead to unity. The Holy Spirit can work miracles we can only dream at. As we come together to worship this coming Sunday, let us pray fervently for unity through the Holy Spirit.  Unity to forward with grace and love. 

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