How is that union achieved and what does it consist of?
Firstly, unity can be a slippery concept to grasp. The modern era may value diversity and inclusivity, but in reality, our notion of unity is not exactly bound by these two defining characteristics. Instead, unity is markedly designated by uniformity. Just ask Facebook or Twitter. They have policies that enforced a kind of “group-think” even if they were to vehemently protest that they do not. If a platoon of soldiers marching across a bridge in unison can cause a bridge to collapse, then “group-think” imposed by societal pressure can only result in an environment known as the “echo chamber”. It is a phenomenon[1] where a person only encounters information or opinions that reflect or reinforce their own. Solutions to problems will always be less than optimal which could have catastrophic results. In short, unity cannot consists in uniformity.
Unity has to breach the suffocating walls of “group-think” and “echo chamber” in order to thrive. The 2nd Reading offers a clue that for unity to flower, it must be planted in the soil of love. It goes without saying that the unity we yearn for must be set in relationships. Without love, without connexion to each other, how will unity take root? However, the difficulty we encounter with regard to love is its definition. The current meaning of love bears a close resemblance to licentiousness. What lust does is to wound love as Black Eyed Peas cautioned us because “fools in lust could never get enough of love, love love”.[2] Therefore, love must be grounded in truth as St Paul reminded the Corinthians in the famous ode we often hear at Wedding Masses and Services: “Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth” (1 Cor 13: 6).
Given the fondness of blaming conflicts on differences in terms of race or religion, language or learning, sexual orientation or social status and etc, we are, in some ways, driven to look for the common denominator of unity. We have come to think of unity, not in terms of love but of rationality—a product of our highly technical and mechanised mentality. In a sense, “Modernity” is the proud mother of the French and American Revolutions symbolised by the figure of “Marianne” who personifies the familiar values of “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” and is the embodiment of Reason. Unfortunately, this same “reason” also gave birth to the Jewish Holocaust[3].
Sadly, the history of Modernity and Rationality has shown us that the unity we desire for mankind cannot be achieved without the truth of love. Love cannot paper over the ugliness of sin. In our idea of unity as one, we think that love means ignoring differences which are substantial. For example, Holy Communion, the powerful symbol of unity. In an endeavour to fulfil the high-priestly prayer of Jesus for unity, some think that Holy Communion, instituted by Christ at the Last Supper, can be a means of unity. Yet, the differences in our approach to this ritual meal are substantial. What the Eucharist is for many Protestant denominations and Catholics is as different as between a disposable piece of wafer and the Real, True and Substantial Presence.
Furthermore, in an attempt to accommodate Modernity’s paradigm or model of love without truth, the Church has become divided. We have a faction that holds fast to the Church’s teachings on love and a bloc that believes that such teachings should be brought up to date to coincide with modern sensibilities. Thus, the battlefield today is observed in a concerted effort to expand the definitions of marriage and family so as to make room for alternative lifestyles. The unity we all believe in is not made easy because everyone is convinced of the “truth” his or her position.
Today we celebrate Communication Sunday. To arrive at the unity prayed for by Jesus, there is no other way except to preach, teach, and manifest the truth in love. In order for unity to grow, love has to be anchored in the Truth. If the Truth is Jesus Christ, then this Novena to the Holy Spirit makes sense. If the Truth is Jesus Christ, then the Spirit of Truth is the Spirit of Jesus the Lord who teaches us how to love as we prepare to receive the gift of unity.
Thus, we are invited to a relationship with the 2nd Person of the Trinity—Jesus Christ. Where we stand in terms of our belief is always relative to Him. In the first reading, it is shown that who stands in the place of Judas is not really that important. What is central is that the person who takes the place of Judas, be it Barnabas or Matthias should always stand in relation to the Truth, to Jesus Christ. In other words, we stand on the side of God and that side is secured by our relationship with Him.
This requires a change in our perception because the Truth is not an object over which we have control. It is never a possession through which we exhibit strength. In such a scenario, “truth” as an object opens up the possibility of coercion and manipulation as exhibited by the phenomena of “group-think” or “echo chamber”. Truth as “Personal” is always Jesus Christ before Whom we are humble and under Whom we serve. We preach Jesus Christ crucified.[4]
In the daunting depth of Deepfake, in the fearful face of Fake News, in the menacing mischief of misinformation, the electronic media is the new Wild, Wild West where the powerful hold sway over what is “truth”. But we are unafraid especially when our communication, that is, our proclamation of Jesus Christ is shaped by love. Through discourses, exchanges, dialogues that “strive to be clear and honest, in the press, on the internet, in the Church’s daily preaching and in political or social communication”[5] we pave the path of love for the Holy Spirit so that He can forge the unity that we desire. With human technology, we can go only so far in forging the unity prayed for by Jesus. With the Holy Spirit, heaven is the limit because unity is His gift for our cooperation and for our love.
[1] Think of Google, Facebook and Twitters’
algorithms. They, especially Google’s, are not geared towards “free”
information but subtly, they act as a corral towards businesses that can feed
our queries or searches. What you frequently search for will subsequently turn
up as blinking pop-up advertisements that are targeted to stoke your curiosity.
At best, they are distractions. At worst, one ends up buying what is not
necessary.
[2] Black Eyed Peas, “Shut Up”.
[3] Modernity as a rational process, seeks to
remove from the person, the uncertainties of life and also to increase security
for the individual. This requires personal freedom to be sacrificed in order
that uncertainties are lessen and security heightened. To achieve that,
attempts will be made to control nature, structure hierarchy, impose rules and
regulations, and to enlarge control over people through social and
telecommunication media. In an effort to “control”, obedience to
the “diktat” of the state is considered a moral good which if
unchallenged will result in the exclusion of some people because they do not
fit into the organisation of a picture-perfect society. The Jews did not fit
the programme of “beauty and excellence” of the Aryan race. Hence,
the Holocaust.
[4] 1 Cor. 1: 23-24. Here are we preaching a
crucified Christ; to the Jews an obstacle that they cannot get over, to the
pagans madness but to those who have been called, whether they are Jews or
Greeks, a Christ who is the power and wisdom of God.
[5] Cf. Communication Sunday 2021
