Christ is the True Unifier

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21)

 
By Fr. Alex Radulescu - Dear Brothers and Sisters, here is a story that took place in 1944 during the Second World War, in the middle of the Battle of the Bulge. Three American soldiers, one badly wounded, were lost in the snow-covered Ardennes Forest as they tried to find the American lines. After walking for a few days, on Christmas Eve, they came upon a small cabin in the woods.  Elisabeth Vincken and her 12-year-old son, Fritz, were alone in the cabin, waiting for her husband.  There was a knock on the door.  Elisabeth, frightened, opened the door to find two enemy American soldiers standing at the door and a third lying in the snow. Hearing their story and taking pity at the wounded soldier, Elisabeth let them in and started preparing a meal. She asked the soldiers to leave their weapons outside.
 
While this was happening, another knock was heard at the door.  Fritz opened.  Four German soldiers stopped by, on patrol, also wishing to eat and warm up.  Realizing the danger, Elizabeth rushed outside and convinced the German soldiers to enter on condition that they would not harm the American soldiers.  To calm the ire of the German commanding soldier, she said to him: “It is the Holy Night and there will be no shooting here.” So they reluctantly left their weapons outside and joined the Americans at the table.  In spite the tension at the dinner table, the opposing enemies were able to enjoy this meal as their hatred started to melt away. The Germans brought a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread. While Elisabeth tended to the cooking, one of the German soldiers, an ex-medical student, examined the wounded American. As Elisabeth said grace, Fritz noticed tears in the exhausted soldiers' eyes. The next day, looking at the Americans' map, the German commander told them the best way to get back to their lines and provided them with a compass. The enemies shook hands and left in opposite directions. Soon, this short-lived truce was over.
 
What united these mortal enemies at the table was a common sense of peace and holiness during the time of Christmas.  Both German and American soldiers were Christian.  Although they had their own cultural and political differences, they all recognized that Christ unites all of us in His love.  
 
We are all God’s children. He wants all of us to recognize this reality and come to Him. Like a loving parent, God wants all his children to get along, help each other when in need, and imitate His love.  Unfortunately, we do not always do that.  We allow for our political and ideological differences to take over.  This creates turmoil in our relationships that oftentimes leads to war.
 
Looking at the social and political tensions in our country, I am concerned that we have forgotten our common purpose: to become like God.  Yes, we may disagree on how to solve our differences but should never forget that only through Christ-like mutual love and respect we will live in peace and harmony with one another. Violence always leads to more violence. It is time to invite Christ in our midst.  
 
The story of the German mother hosting two rival parties at her table reminds us of Christ and the Eucharistic supper where all people are invited.  Only in Christ we can find true unity regardless of who we are: rich or poor, white or black, German or American… He expects us to love one another.  Christ wants us to see Him in all people and set aside the hatred by joining him in the communion of love in His Kingdom. Amen.