star... for unitystar

In the prayer at the Rite of Peace, we pray  not just for peace but also for the unity of the Kingdom.

Unity is not uniformity - and we are not praying to become all the same. Rather, we are praying for the gift of living in harmony and unity of purpose - like that of those who live in eternal Kingdom.

It was the prayer of Jesus Himself - let them all be one...

St Paul took the image even further and stressed that the unity was like that of a body.
The parts of the body have different functions - some may even seem more essential than others - but all contribute in their own way to the well-being of the body as a whole.

He leads on to the image of the Body of Christ - the Church with Christ as its head.
There are many different ministries - but always inspired by one Spirit - serving one Lord.

After the prayer of the Rite of Peace, we act on it by offering each other a sign of peace - a handshake - a hug - a kiss. In this, we are creating a unity between us that goes deeper than everyone simply agreeing with each other!
We are saying that, despite differences -and what may have gone before - at this moment we are trying to go beyond that to a deeper spiritual unity which leads us towards Communion.

The symbol is taken further as our eyes go back to the altar and to the one bread...Although most of us will receive an individual host, the breaking of the one bread reminds us that, though we are many, we are one Body in the one Lord. Though the physical host is broken - the spiritual Body remains intact. As we receive the Body of Christ, so we are received again into that spiritual Body.

We have a unity that goes beyond anything we could accomplish on our own strength. This is a divine unity - a grace that is given to God’s faithful people.

 

Drinking from the Wellspring

The images of peace and unity in our signs of peace - and the receiving of the Body of Christ are very powerful.

Reflect on what they mean for you...

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How can the peace and unity spoken of in these signs become a reality on the community?
 

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How can our peace and unity be witnesses to our joyful waiting?
 

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How can those who are unable to receive Communion be made part of the unity?

© 2004 Wellspring


Waiting in Joyful Hope for...

Advent candle...a new age

     ...peace     Advent candle

Advent candle ... unity

..the Coming of our SaviourAdvent candle

 

Waiting in Joyful Hope...