That all may be One

In 1 Peter, chapter 2, Peter tells his hearers that they are, "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.'  This is very different than what our society sees us as often times.  Men and women are more often than not perceived as a commodity, a business opportunity, and perhaps even as a means to be elected or elevated to a higher position.  Men and women are often perceived as a an objective for entertainment or personal satisfaction.

When the writings of John Paul II were compiled into what has become the Theology of the Body, the response ran the gamete from praise and inspiration, to criticism and outright anger.  Of course his starting point was the creation story, calling to mind that we are made in the image and likeness of God.  God calls us to be holy and sanctifies our lives.  Jesus as the image of the Father brings us salvation and peace through the Paschal Mystery.  So we really are chosen, royal, and holy.

Too often we recognize the hyper-criticism of truth and goodness.  We seem to have an odd thing going on whereas we talk about being open to one another, we become violent towards values and righteousness.  People like being angry about something nowadays.  This is where the love of God, through the mission and ministry of Jesus needs to make a difference.  Often Jesus encounters opposition and hostility as he offers forgiveness and love.  St. John reminds us that Jesus came as a light, but people preferred the darkness.  In darkness one can do what they want without taking responsibility.  The love of Jesus Christ brings light to the world, as well as an affirmation that we belong to the light.

If we have a relationship of love with God the Father, and are one with God, then we also must be one with each other also.  And that will make a difference as to how we respond to each other.  Human life and dignity are of immense importance.  A chosen, royal and holy people respects ones own body, and the bodies of each other.  True love pours itself out for the goodness of the other.  Just as Jesus continued to refer to the Father throughout John's Gospel, we want to make sure we are not imposing ourselves upon others, but looking out for each other in care and charity.

I think we can get stuck in sort of a 'Brady Bunch' motif of faith whereas everything is nice, sweet, simple, and resolved in twenty-six minutes.  Real love is hard work and invites us to go to the cross again and again. And at the cross we find Jesus, a fearful, yet faithful community, and we come to discover the resurrection.  We must see ourselves as we are, a chosen, royal, and holy, people, and then we can act righteously towards ourselves and others.