We Are One: 24 January 2010

As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many,
are one body

1 Corinthians 12:12

Living out in the rural area surrounded by farms and fields, hills and valleys, wooded areas and natural ponds and rivers offers the opportunity to daily witness the movements of a wide variety of birds and animals (both wild and domesticated) giving one so much more than a glimpse of the interconnectedness of nature. It also serves as a constant reminder of how caring (or destructive) human actions can impact the natural environment in which we live. Truly we have an investment in tending to and caring for our environment because we not only live in it, we interact with it and are ultimately one with the multitude of creatures and plant life of the world in which we live.

This past week, Catholics were urged to observe a week of "Prayer for Christian Unity". Though a noble idea, I found myself pondering this concept and literally scratching my head. We all know there are beliefs and/or doctrines and dogmas that serve to divide different Christian traditions. But I just have to wonder if designating a week to pray for Christian unity is a bit too exclusive. Shouldn't we be striving for unity, understanding and acceptance of all people no matter their faith tradition?

When something in nature is out of balance, Nature takes care of itself and takes corrective action. For example, efforts to divert a river around a community may ultimately be in vain when torrential rains come and the flooding river reverts back to its original locale. The things that divide us as people are many: ethnicity, language, rank, status, title, economic status, education, beliefs, values, etc. But what unifies us is our common bond as children of our Sacred Creator. Perhaps we would do well to focus our attention and hearts and minds on our "oneness" with each other and all of nature rather than on our differences.

Peace on the Journey.