We hear Paul talk about the unity we have in Christ in his letter to the Ephesians. The Ephesians at one time were without Christ, estranged from Israel, strangers from the covenant. Now, through the covenant they share with Christ, the wall dividing them from others came down, and now they have found peace and are reconciled with God. Like the Ephesians, we are now members of the House of God. However, we live in a world that is still so divided, in a world that has so much violence and oppression and war. Yet, our faith urges us to work toward that peace, to work toward the fulfillment of God’s kingdom.
Today is the feast day of St John of Capistrano. You probably are more familiar with him by his Spanish name, as mission San Juan Capistrano in California was named after him by the Franciscan missionaries who brought God’s word to the native people of California. St John of Capistrano was born in the late 14th century. He was imprisoned during a war with a neighboring town, and he entered the Franciscan community in Perugia after his release. After being ordained to the priesthood, he brought his gifts of preaching to countries all over Europe – throughout Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia. Through his preaching, John of Capistrano tried to unify the Christians throughout the European realm.
How are we working toward unity today? How are we breaking down barriers and divisions? By the way, today, October 23, is the day that the swallows leave San Juan Capistrano in California as they make their way down to Argentina.
As we come to the Lord today for healing in the sacraments of anointing and the Eucharist, we pray for all the members of our community who are sick or struggling or who are going through a difficult time. We pray for the unity and the peace that we can only find in the Lord.
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