that they may become perfectly one

First Reading: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
Psalm: Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
Gospel: John 17:20-26


John 17:23 I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.

The world knowing Christ is connected to the unity of the body. So I guess the obvious question is how well are we doing to show Christ to the world. Regardless of which estimates you subscribe to the amount of Christian denominations is either on the order of 8000 or 35000, and neither of them are good. Think about it. If you were considering the Christian faith, what would you think about people who say love, mercy, grace, wisdom, yet they are divided enormously out of their own pride and self righteousness.
I wonder sometimes if we can even be called Christians. It is almost as if all these denominations are different religions. They have different beliefs, they have different leaders, and the for the most part share nothing in common except an occasional community charity program.
So are we showing Christ to the people, or are we showing our own dirty laundry? Jesus says we should be one even as he is one with he Father. That is a tall order, and that is why it takes the prayers of Jesus himself to appeal to God for such mercy and grace.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always seek to be united with my brothers and sisters. Help me not to become a victim of my own pride and self righteousness. Grant me the mercy and grace that your son and my Lord Jesus Christ prays for.

Amen