Introduction
These are Jesus’ last words before his arrest. One of the twelve, Judas, has already left on an errand of his own. At the supper, not all had been harmony: an argument about who was the greatest, and would get the best seat in the kingdom of heaven (Luke 22.24), Peter refusing to have his feet washed (John 13.8) and boasting that he would not betray Jesus when later events showed that all were scattered. Indeed, when the risen Christ appeared to the disciples, they were probably still continuing to argue and blame each other, so the first words of Jesus had to be ‘Peace be with you’ (John 20.19-20,26).
Context
With local elections out of the way, there are probably only two stories left this week. The first is a triumph of unity, seen in the Leicester football team working together to achieve an almost impossible success. How salutary that those behind, particularly in the Tottenham/Chelsea match, gave a display of outstandingly bad behaviour this week.
The second story is of course the referendum on EU membership. What a contrast with the local elections, in which each party was trying (I hope in your area as in mine) to present a united picture of how prospective councillors would work for the good of their communities. In the EU referendum, the main parties are split, and the division would seem to be directly attributable to the enormous egos of those campaigning hardest. The bickering over who will be Cameron’s successor has taken centre stage rather than the issues in the Conservative Party. And in the Labour Party, with the leader joining the ‘IN’ campaign, there are those who seem to be opposing just out of spite.
Northern Ireland adds a ‘religious’ dimension to the divide in The Times: ‘warring coalition could allow moderates to make a comeback’.
Reflection
Throughout the weeks of Easter we have seen the risen Christ returning to unite, to hearten and to galvanise his broken disciples to go out and make more disciples. This came together in Acts 1, when Christ announces the closeness of the kingdom, and Peter is inspired not only to rebuild the unity of a leadership of 12, but symbolically, by this, to re-found Israel, with twelve new tribes. This new Israel is to be inclusive of the whole world, and this echoes Jesus’ final prayer in John 17 quoted in today’s Gospel.
Do we dare to suggest that in the coming referendum campaign we might, as with the Scottish referendum, have to admit that we are ‘better together’ warts and all, than going our separate ways and trying just to do our own thing?
When we reflect on Europe’s wars between close neighbours over hundreds of years, don’t we want to give a chance to an organisation which seeks co-operation rather than division? Several member states were able to replace dictatorships with democratic governments thanks to the example of founding European states, and it is clear that fragmentation could lead to a rise in far right political movements.
Is it possible for us to pray that we may be one with European neighbours, and seek the common good together? Could we give that example to the rest of the world?
Prayer
This response may be used after each petition
May we all be one,
that the world may believe.
Father, we pray for that unity to which your Son calls us.
We pray for unity within our churches,
that we may turn away from bickering, rivalries, jealousies and cliques.
We pray for unity between Christian denominations,
reconciliation of our differences, and acceptance of other points of view.
We pray for the peace of the world,
and especially for peace in the Middle East, in the countries of Africa,
in places where intolerance, exclusion, apartheid and genocide are found.
Father, we pray that your Church may be truly inclusive.
We ask your blessing and guidance on all elected to office in local government
that they may work together for the good of all in their communities,
and the protection of the weak, the vulnerable and the needy.
Questions
- What does the Gospel say about the disunity of churches?
- Is our own denominational identity more important to us than our common faith with other Christians?
- Where are the differences that we really do need to retain, and where could we hold divisions together?
Action
- Could your church, or group of churches, host a debate on membership of the EU?
- Is your church ready to put this love into action in Christian Aid Week later this month?
Young people
- Do an internet search to discover why the EU was founded.
How far do you think it has lived up to its ideals?
- Pretend each member of the group represents a different European country.
How do you persuade others to do what is best for your country?
Describe a problem which your country faces and see if you can be helped.
The Revd Dr Tom Ambrose is an associate priest in the Parish of the Ascension, Cambridge.
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