January 23 is the anniversary of the election of the Prelate of Opus Dei, Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz which took place in Rome in 2017.

He was elected, meaning chosen by his confreres. Simple ceremony. No big sudden changes. There is unity and continuity. Some changes that are really only cosmetic, that are changes with the times, and with the desire of the pope.

He does not go and simply reverse everything his predecessor did.

We are also in the Octave of Christian Unity. Jesus prayed for the unity among his apostles.

Pope Francis said Wednesday that the Lord did not command that His disciples be united. No, He prayed. He prayed to the Father for us, so that we might be one. This means that we are not able to achieve unity with our own strength.

Above all, unity is a gift, it is a grace to be requested through prayer.

Each one of us needs it. In fact, we know that we are not capable of preserving unity even within ourselves. Even the apostle Paul felt a painful conflict within himself: wanting the good but inclined toward evil (see Rm 7:19). He had thus grasped the root of so many divisions that surround us – between people, in families, in society, between nations and even between believers – and inside us.

Division inside us comes from sin. The true remedy begins by asking God for peace, reconciliation, unity. So we need to ask for it in prayer. It is a gift we really need.

Pray with other Christians. Listen to them. Protestants and Orthodox. Do I ever pray for unity in the family? In the church? In the country? Do I realize that it is part of my duty too?

The Prelate said in a homily last year:

“May we rely more on you, Lord, and less on our own strength. And when we experience our own weakness, help us to be happy, knowing that you have chosen us with this weakness, because you love us.” (Homily, 23 January 2020)

Music: Andrian Berenguer, Fall, Album Singulairty (2017)

Thumbnail: Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz received by Pope Francis after being elected Prelate in 2017

See videos of meditations:

https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos