From a raindrop to a river
From one word into a song
Source of all gifts, Friend and Forgiver
Bring us together, to pass it on
He has called us, all creation
Every women, child and man
To bring our gifts in celebration
To be transformed in the Savior's hands
Pass It On by Peter Mayer and Patricia O'Reilly
On this day many people get honorary status of being
Irish. (Click here to watch the yearly tradition of turning the Chicago River green!) With a name like Glusenkamp, I've always been somewhat green with
envy of my friends who have names like Dowd or Reagan. For on this day it seems
their families (which are quite large and extended to begin with) comprise just
about everyone. There is a unity which is not only implied, but amplified. They
seem to be saying loudly and clearly, "We are ONE."
St. Paul wasn't Irish, but he knew something about unity and divisiveness. Many
of his letters to particular and specific congregations deal with the lack of
unity, church conflicts and theological misunderstandings. Paul's world, while
it existed 2,000 years ago, has linkage and relevance for our world and
situation today. As technology links and syncs us to folks all around the
world, we often are not connected and mindful of the people who live next door
to us. While globalization offers promise as well as challenges to our lives,
individualistic thinking and behavior threatens the ties that bind our hearts
in one.
St. Paul wrote,
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the
calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with
patience, bearing with one another in love, 3making every effort to maintain
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one
Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through
all and in all. 7But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift
(Ephesians 4).
Peter's song is a mirror image of Paul's words. This "one-ness" that
is written about and sung about is a powerful reality. It is invitational and
transformational. When we understand ourselves to be connected to each other
and as we link with each other, we are more than we could ever be solely by
ourselves. It is a miracle of transcendence that by insisting less for
ourselves we actually have a greater reality.
It's a gift that we can celebrate today.
To be continued,
Ronald O'Glusenkamp
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