Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 16 May 2024
Seventh Week of Easter – Thursday
Acts 22:30. 23:6-11. John 17:20-26
Unitive consciousness
Our lives contain polar opposites, and we must live with them. These polar opposites are both contradictory and complementary. However, we tend to polarise, or yield to polarisation. Polarisation makes us focus on what differentiates us from others instead of seeking what unites us. This attitude makes us prejudiced, judgmental, and intolerant.
The readings of the day invite us to move from polarisation to unitive consciousness. In the gospel reading, Jesus prays for his disciples: “May they be one as you and I are one.” There is no polarisation in the relationship between the Father and Jesus. They see what unites them – God-ness.
How do we obtain this unitive consciousness?
(a) By realising that everyone is filled with the glory of God.
(b) By having the knowledge of Jesus.
(c) By keeping Jesus’ relationship with his father as a model for us.
When we don’t have this unitive consciousness, someone else could take advantage of us and exploit us for his or her own use.
In the first reading, Paul is being interrogated in Jerusalem by the Sanhedrin. Realising the polarisation of the community into the Pharisees and the Sadducees, Paul takes advantage of the situation and turns to his favour.
Though we are beset with the polarities of life, let us aspire to obtain a unitive consciousness.
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“In addition to finding hope in God’s grace, we are also called to discover hope in the signs of the times that the Lord gives us. The signs of the times must become signs of hope.” Pope Francis, Bull of Indiction, 9 May 2024, no. 7 (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 99).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
# Be M.er.cy.Fool
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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