教会合一节（一月第4主日）

使他们合而为一

——约翰福音十七章廿二节

恳求圣父使门徒合而为一，是基督离世前的祷告；圣灵赐给教会的，同样是一颗合而为一的心。

知识与神学不能使教会合一，高傲与自是不能使教会合一。唯一能使教会合而为一的，是出自圣爱的爱心。

合一不同于统一，而是一种和谐，它需要出自爱心的容让与宽厚。合一不同于吞并，而是一种共生，它需要出自爱心的体谅与温存。

一个走向合一的教会是基督的荣耀，也是圣灵的安慰。我们只应付出爱心使往日的伤痕继续愈合，而不能因自己的狭隘与偏执使之重又流血！

Christian Unity Sunday

John 17:22

That they may be one

   Before he left this earth, Jesus prayed that the disciples might be one. Likewise, the Holy Spirit has bestowed unity on the Church of Christ.

  Knowledge and theology cannot make the Church one. Pride and a sense of self-importance are obstacles to Christian unity. Only a loving heart which comes from holy love can unite the Church.

  Unity is not conformity, but rather a kind of harmony. It has its source in the yielding and generosity of a loving heart. Unity does not mean annexation or being swallowed up. Rather, it implies a life together which finds its source in the understanding and gentleness of a loving heart.

  A Church which is moving towards unity glorifies Christ and comforts the Holy Spirit. We need only put forth a loving heart to heal the wounds of yesterday. We cannot allow old wounds to break open and bleed again through our own narrowness and bias.