This week I’ve felt troubled. Maybe it’s because I see more clearly now the dissension among Christians — something I once ignored, but can no longer look past. It’s not that I want to point fingers or push an agenda. My concern comes from a deeper love and respect for Jesus.
He came down and gave us a path. The Holy Spirit walks with us, helping us stay on that path and understand it. So how is it that we can squabble and bicker, condemn and divide, and still all claim that Jesus is our common Lord and Savior?
I think of my own children. Sometimes they’ve fought and refused to speak to each other for days. I didn’t stop loving them, but their disunity brought me deep sorrow. In the same way, I believe our heavenly Father grieves when He sees His children in disaccord.
Today, religion is too often used to separate, to condemn, to judge. But that is not the religion of Jesus. He made it clear that He is the Judge — our call is to love one another.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
— John 13:35
Does that mean everyone is right? No.
Does that mean some are wrong? Yes.
But our role is not to replace Christ’s authority. It is to follow Him — to encourage, to correct when we can, and to remember that we ourselves are sinners in need of grace.
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”
— Galatians 6:1
When my children were noisy and unruly, I could have sent them away. But love required patience. I didn’t always agree with their choices — some were just bad choices — and I told them so. Yet like the father of the prodigal son, I always kept the door open: You can always come home.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
— Luke 15:20
We need that same spirit in the Body of Christ.
We must stop defining ourselves by our own notions of right and wrong, and instead follow the ways, the example, and the teachings of Jesus.
His way leads to joy and peace.
It produces patience, charity, and hope.
And in the end, it leads us home — to Heaven.
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
— Ephesians 4:3–5
A Prayer for Unity
Lord Jesus,
You came to make us one — one body, one Church, one family.
Forgive us for the times we’ve chosen pride over peace, division over love, and judgment over mercy.
Teach us to love as You love: firmly, truthfully, but always with compassion.
When we see our brothers and sisters stray, give us gentle hearts to guide them back.
And when we ourselves are lost, remind us that Your door is always open.
Unite us in Your truth, fill us with Your Spirit, and lead us all home to Your Father’s house.
Amen.
The musings of Peter 