So That They May Be One

‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’ John 17:20-26

Jesus prayed for his disciples to be one and calls us to do likewise. When this country was settled by Europeans, they were not one, warring with each other over territory and religion. Those who founded the Massachusetts colony despised Anglican and Roman Catholics. And, in our present day, we seem to be moving to more division rather than less. We are called by God to work together, to love the enemy, to care for the widow and orphan, yet we get caught up in politics and power. May we work together in the coming days, for the love of God, so human tyranny ends, and love takes hold again.

Wondrous Creator, you made your creation diverse

in climate and culture, colors and languages

and you call us to see our need for one another

so that the whole earth might thrive in harmony.

We collect with like-minded, familiar people

and call everyone else criminals and aliens

we abuse our vast wealth and our power

to terrorize and destroy all beautiful difference.

Lift us up Lord from our selfish and cruel ways

make us see the stranger as a family member

help us embrace the other so we might know ourselves

and make us your family, your people once more. Amen.