The Source of Unity

Dec. 1, 2022

At the heart of spiritual battles that we face is a call to overcome division, especially within our families

By Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly

Dec. 1, 2022

Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly (Photo by Michael Collopy)

“All of human life, whether individual or collective, shows itself to be a dramatic struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness” (Gaudium et Spes, 13). These words from the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World are just as evocative today as when they were written nearly 60 years ago.

I have written previously about the fact that the whole of our lives is a spiritual battle. While many are faced with larger battles — we remember especially our brothers who are literally at war — the struggle between good and evil goes on even in our most simple human relations. As we approach the Christmas season, when we celebrate the glorious gift of God becoming man, it’s a good time to consider the small spiritual battles that are manifest in our personal lives.

Christmas can be an occasion of great happiness and togetherness. But for many, it can also be a time of stress and anxiety — when, for example, we struggle with wounds and divisions within our families that have gone on far too long. I would offer that, as Knights, we are called to the spiritual battleground to bring about greater unity in our families.

Blessed Michael McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus upon the principles of “Unity and Charity.” That is, he listed unity even before charity, which is often acclaimed as our first principle. The principle of fraternity was added several years later.

As a spiritual brotherhood, we all know just how important unity is for our councils. It’s a precondition, in fact, for our many works of charity. This is also true for the Knights of Columbus as a whole. Our unity as a spiritual brotherhood is what has made the Order grow stronger over the past 140 years.

If unity is important for us as Knights, it is even more important for our families. The love of families is the very way that God chose to reveal himself to us —the love of the Holy Family is a model for all families, and the Father is the one “from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named” (Eph 3:15).

Christ wants us to be instruments of unity in our families. More than that, he wants us to cooperate with him to sanctify our families. To do so, I recommend two key paths — those of forgiveness and truth.

As individuals, we are made for unity. We are made in the image and likeness of the Trinitarian God, who is the source of unity. That is to say, we are made to live in communion with one another; we are hardwired to be connected to others.

However, the evil one is always trying to destroy this unity and disconnect us from others, especially from our families, through our own sin and those of others. One of Satan’s most effective tactics is to isolate us and separate us through suspicions, selfishness and wounds both old and new.

Sin and division are cruel captors. They bind us and prevent us from breaking free. But as St. Paul proclaimed in his Letter to the Galatians, “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery” (5:1).

Christ wants us to be instruments of unity in our families. More than that, he wants us to cooperate with him to sanctify our families. To do so, I recommend two key paths — those of forgiveness and truth.

First, to reach unity, the barriers of resentment and sin must be removed, and this requires forgiveness. We should seek to sincerely forgive our family members and graciously ask forgiveness for our own offenses. Second, we should seek to find points of commonality with our family members, for all true unity is built on truth. Though there are sometimes points of division that seem insurmountable, we can begin with that which unites us.

So as we look forward to celebrating Christmas this year, let us ask for the grace to be agents of unity, driving out darkness and spreading light.

Vivat Jesus!

The Source of Unity

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