Unity through diversity

THE more common expression is “unity amid diversity.” But that sounds

a bit bland, conveying simply an abstract ideal that we would not know

how to attain or that leaves us with all sorts of ideas without any

animating spirit.

    We need to be aware that the goal of unity, in whatever context it is

taken, can be achieved precisely because of our differences and

diversity of circumstances, situations, preferences, etc.

    It is this variety and diversity that forms the basis for any effort

toward unity. It is also what invites us and offers us the means to

work for a unity that is not uniformity, a unity that can take on

anything, reached not by any artificial means or controlled

environment, but by the very things as they are in life, but

approached and handled with a certain spirit.

    We need to be aware of this need and duty, otherwise we would confine

ourselves to an idea of unity that does not correspond to the real

needs of people and the world in general. And given the increasingly

complicated world we are having, we indeed have to learn this art and

skill of attaining unity through diversity quickly.

    We have to be most interested in unity because in the first place we

are all human beings and we form one universal family in spite of our

diversity of cultures, mentalities, lifestyles and other social,

economic, historical circumstances, etc.

    We have to learn how to weave one rich fabric, making use of all

these different threads that come in a wide variety of colors and

tints, of make and consistency. We have to learn how to orchestrate a

deep pool of musical instruments to come out with beautiful symphony.

This is possible and practicable.

    Another reason we have to be most interested in working for unity is,

of course, because unity means a healthy life, or a system that is

efficient and effective, fruitful and meaningful. We all deserve to

enjoy this kind of life and system.

    And the spirit proper to animate this effort of attaining unity

through diversity is, to put it bluntly, the spirit of Christ. It’s he

who before his passion and death made that most fervent prayer to his

Father that we be all one with him (ut unum sint) as he is also one

with the Father and the Spirit.

    St. Paul reiterates this truth when he said: “There is neither Jew

nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor

female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3,28)

    It is God who, as Creator of the universe and our most loving Father,

is the foundation and purpose of our unity. No effort at unity would

prosper without God at the center of it all.

    And since we messed up with our sin the original unity and order, God

sent his Son to recover that lost unity and enrich it even some more.

The Son became man, and as ‘the way, the truth, and the life,’ taught

us everything we need to know and showed us the way to attain unity

not only through our legitimate diversity but also through our

hostility against him and others.

    All this he did by offering his life on the cross that summarized and

completed all his preaching and redemptive work. It’s the cross that

would unite us in Christ, as he himself said: “If I be lifted up from

the earth, I will draw all things to myself.” (Jn 12,32)

    It’s the cross that also led to his resurrection that bore all the

sins of man and everything that our sins cause. It’s the cross that

perpetuates the living redemptive work of Christ all through time.

    Thus, the word he left us is always living and effective, the

sacraments become effective channels of his grace, and the Church, in

spite of its failing members, is truly the living Christ with us

actively continuing with us his redemptive work.

    It’s him through the Church who teaches us all things about how to

attain unity through diversity. We need to care for one another,

attentive, mindful and thoughtful of everyone. We have to learn how to

empathize and sympathize, unafraid to suffer for everyone.

    We have to be experts in the art of dialogue, always having an

attitude of openness, tolerance and patience. We have to live the

social principles of the common good, solidarity and subsidiarity.

    This is how we can achieve unity through the very diversity that

marks our life here on earth!