Jesus: A division between believers

"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."





One would not think that Jesus would be a cause for division amongst people, yet it happens. There could be a place filled with countless believers, yet there would be a great divide among the crowd. We are all called to have a personal relationship with Jesus. We are all sons and daughters of God- brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet, we find our differences and we get stuck on them. We are blinded to the fact that we all worship the same God, that we share similar morals and values, and that Jesus died on the cross to redeem us all! We get stuck on differences between denominations, differences in individual beliefs, and think that someone else should be living their life as *we* think they *should.* 

According to my research, there are currently about 33,000 different denominations. How easy it is for us to first figure out what we want in a religion, then go "church searching" for where we "fit in." Often (not always), we become selfish in trying to please ourselves with what "feels comfortable" instead of going where God is calling us. Jesus is calling each of us somewhere, He is calling us each by name.



I have found that too often we get caught up in the practices of our denomination and we forget who Jesus really and truly is! While practices and core beliefs and teachings are great, they do not define us. Our identity should be found in Christ. Our lives should be a clear example that we are living out life for Him alone. 

Attaching a denomination to our name tends to put us in a box. We now have to live up to the standards of this said religion. Now that we have a label, if we fail to live up to the teachings of our religion, it is either brought to our attention that we are not living the right kind of life, or we are just silently judged. Don't get me wrong, belonging to a church body is one of the necessities when it comes to spiritual growth. 

While each church is certainly unique in its own ways, the Catholic Church is the one that stands out from all the rest. Why is that? The Catholic Church claims that they are the one, true church founded by Jesus Christ-- and from my findings, it can be dated that far back. While I am Catholic, the Catholic Church does not define me. It is not all whom I am. I listen to God above all. I filter the teachings of the Church through Scripture. When there is doubt about any particular teaching, I do the research (from many different angles, despite that fact that almost all research is biased) on my own instead of just accepting an answer from just anyone. Above all, I pray that I am where God wants me. I pray that my eyes are open to follow the path that God wants me on. Just because I am Catholic, it does not mean that I am better then anyone else, or that I am holier either. For I am not. I am not "more saved" then the person next door. It all comes down to how I live my life. Living a life for Christ is rewarding beyond words!

Since planting myself firm in Catholicism, trials and heartache have come up. As much as some of the things that have been going on hurt me, I take comfort that God has a plan. Despite Catholicism appearing to be a barrier right now, by staying strong, the walls will be taken down -- as long as I am doing it for the right reasons. As long as I continue to seek God first and foremost in my life, I will continue to be blessed abundantly. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Unfortunately, this does not settle well with everyone. Often times, we strive to tell others how to live their life. We are quick to point out their faults without first learning their background, we fail to understand their motives behind any actions, and then we try to push our own beliefs upon them, even before we acknowledge that we have anything ourselves to work on! "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:5 We are too quick to point and finger and tell others what they are doing wrong and then offer a solution to "fix" them. Why cannot we accept them as they are and leave the heart stirring to God? For when things are left to God to "fix," beautiful things happen!

In conclusion, even when we put a stake in the ground for Christ and strive to imitate His ways, we are always going to face conflict. For even Jesus said, "51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law" (Luke 12:51-53). Even if and or when we find someone of "like mind," there will come a time when the differences come out. Cannot we just accept them for where they are and love them as God loves us? Give the situation to God. Ask for the grace of understanding and acceptance. Leave it all to God to work miracles.

Jesus should be a reason to bring us together -- not cause a great divide. 




Dearest heavenly Father, please help me to love all of Your children-- all of my brothers and sisters in Christ-- equally! Please help me accept everyone without judgment. Help me acknowledge the areas of my life that I need to work on to live the life that You want for me! You know the motives behind my every action, so please guide me to act from a pure heart-- something that can only come from you, Lord! I ask all of this in Jesus' name. Amen.