In his catechesis at the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis reminds Christians that unity is only achieved by the grace of God and not by our own willpower.
By Devin Watkins
As Christians around the world observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis reflects on Jesus’ invitation to overcome discord and sow reconciliation.
Speaking at the catechetical part of his weekly General Audience, the Pope reminded everyone that Jesus did not command his disciples to unite, but prayed that they might be.
This, the Pope said, “means that we are not able to achieve unity with our own strength. Unity is above all a gift, a grace that must be asked for through prayer ”.
Internal conflict
As the apostle Paul observed, each of us experiences a painful conflict in ourselves, in which we desire good, but find ourselves inclined toward evil.
Our internal conflict, Pope Francis said, is a reminder that the real solution comes “by asking God for peace, reconciliation and unity.”
He said that Jesus prayed for his own, “that all may be one” (Jn 17:21).
“Our prayer for unity,” he added, “is, therefore, a humble but confident participation in the Lord’s prayer.”
External difficulties
Then Pope Francis asked us all to reflect on how often we pray for Christian unity.
“During this time of grave hardship, this prayer is even more necessary for unity to prevail over conflict.”
He said that Christians must follow the path of visible unity, because the world will only believe in Christ if we bear witness “to the love that unites us.”
Fighting for unity
“Praying means fighting for unity,” the Pope said. This means fighting the discord and division that the devil tries to sow by magnifying the flaws and mistakes of others in our eyes.
God, however, offers another way. “It takes us as we are, different, sinners and pushes us toward unity.”
So Pope Francis invited everyone to sow unity in our homes and workplaces with the tools God has given us: “prayer and love.”
In the love of Christ
Finally, Pope Francis reflected on the theme of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: “Remain in my love and you will bear much fruit.”
“The root of communion and love is Christ, who makes us overcome our prejudices to see in others a brother or sister who will always have to be loved,” he said.
In seeking unity, we find that Christians of other faiths are gifts from God.
“We begin to pray for them and, when possible, with them,” Pope Francis concluded. “That way we will learn to love and appreciate them.”