Oneness

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.

Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.” (John 17:20-26)

Oneness. There are two definitions.  First, it’s the fact or state of being unified or whole even though comprised of two or more parts such as "the oneness of man and nature."  Secondly, it’s the fact or state of being one in number such as "belief in the oneness of God."  Jesus prays that we all be one.  John has us believe that Jesus said this prayer, and why not because it seems so consistent with his teachings. 

Jesus said we are God’s gift to him.  It’s safe to say: vice versa.   For all of us we have to decide to open that gift given to us every day.  We don’t need Christmas trees, only open hearts ready to receive the Word of God and to manifest oneness.

Deacon David Pierce