TOPIC: PEACE AND UNITY IN OUR CHURCH
1. STORY
A father wanted to teach his five children the importance of unity and
peace in a family. He gave each one a
small stick and asked them to break it which they easily did. He then tied five sticks together into a small
bundle and asked them to break the bundle. They all tried and failed. He explained to them that when they are united
and live in peace, they will be strong like the bundle of sticks. When they are disunited, quarrel, and not
living in peace, they will be weak like an individual stick. He urged them to live in unity and in peace.
2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 18:15-20
A. IF YOUR BROTHER SINS AGAINST YOU
Jesus is aware that a problem may occur in the Church. Though he wants us to live in peace and harmony, he is aware that we are often not able to do this. We may offend some Catholics in a serious way or not in a serious way. We may do it willingly or unwillingly.
B. GO AND TELL HIM HIS FAULT
Jesus gives us his solution to the problem. He wants us to do our best to bring unity and
harmony. He wants us to do three things
to solve the problem.
i) Discuss it with the person involved.
ii) If this fails, ask a few others to work along with you.
iii) If this is not successful, then go to someone in the church, such
as a priest, sister or even the bishop.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. JESUS WANTS US TO LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY
Each time we participate in the Mass, there are two prayers that remind us of this. In the prayer of the sign of peace, the priest prays, “Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, I leave you peace, my peace I give to you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom.” The second prayer said at each Mass is “May all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit.” These prayers remind us of the importance of peace and unity.
B. THREE SUGGESTIONS TO HELP ACHIEVE THIS UNITY
There are many ways to do this. Here are three suggestions:
i) Prayer. We must pray for the
person or persons involved as Jesus reminds us of the power of prayer. “If two of you agree on earth about anything
for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly
Father.”
ii) Ask for forgiveness. If you
have offended someone, forgive those who have offended you.
iii) Be careful in what we say. Praise
more and criticize less.
4. CONCLUSION
The father taught his children the importance of living in harmony. This
unity brings strength to the family. Jesus
wants us, as members of his family, the Catholic Church, to live in unity. He taught us how to achieve this goal. We must work together to bring peace and
harmony to our family, our parish, and to the world. Three ways to do this are to pray, forgive
others, and be prudent in our speech.
