By Fr. Eugene Hemrick
Yeshua Institute Fellow
A sigh of relief is ever so comforting whenever news of two opposing parties coming together in unity is experienced.
In our divided age, governments, churches and society in general seem to have become matter of fact about the vital role of working for unity. Yet, efforts to revere its importance have waned, raising concern over the truth of the proverb, “In unity we stand, divided we fall” … or to be or not to be.
What makes unity so vital?
In Gensis God starts with chaos and then converts it into cosmos. Order replaces disorder, and when there is order, peace of mind and accord follow and happiness begets unison.
But when order is missing cacophony follows, depriving us of harmony and its music.
Plato states: “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”
Plato’s wisdom leaves us to wonder if hardhearted, reckless divisions are infecting the soul of society, causing restlessness, depression and hopelessness. There is no music in the air.
As we need certain vitamins for health, is our health now being deprived of the healing powers of music?
In lauding wisdom, German-Swiss poet Herman Hesse points us to the role unity must fulfill in life: “Wisdom is nothing but a preparation of the soul, a capacity, a secret art of thinking, feeling and breathing of unity at every moment.”
Hesse’s observation makes us wonder: Are we losing the desire needed to endlessly improve unity’s wellbeing?
When created by God we were blessed with the spirit of unity. We were meant to be social human beings, caring for each other and being united with one another. Unity is implanted in our very being.
Equally important is unity’s role in having a successful marriage and family life. As one spiritual writer sees it, “When you make a sacrifice in marriage, you are not sacrificing to each other, but to unity in a relationship.”
When we sigh joyfully over successful unity, ultimately it is the happiness of experiencing humanity at its best.
Unlike animals, we have the gift of wisdom that prompts us to think, feel and breath unity at every moment – to embrace its beauty and power for creating a heavenly atmosphere.
Pray that we use that gift relentlessly.