United in Love

John 17:20-26

Father Mark begins with a story of a tow truck driver who refused to help a disabled woman because of her political affiliation. Claiming divine justification, the driver prioritized his ideological identity over compassion. Father Mark highlights this incident as a troubling example of how devotion to partisan beliefs can dangerously overshadow the central Christian commandment to love others, especially those different from ourselves. He reminds the congregation of Jesus’ words: “They will know you are my disciples by your love.”

Drawing from Jesus’ farewell prayer in the Gospel of John, Father Mark emphasizes that Jesus’ final wish before His crucifixion was for unity—not just among His disciples, but for all who would come to believe in Him. Jesus’ desire was that all followers would be one, united in the love of God, mirroring the oneness of the Trinity. Father Mark ties this prayer to today’s world, which is fractured by divisions of race, politics, religion, and more. He insists that Jesus’ prayer for unity remains as urgent now as it was then.

The sermon concludes with a reflection on our divine identity. Quoting Richard Rohr and William Shannon, Father Mark explores the idea that each of us bears the image of God, and while we may lose touch with it through ego and division, it remains within us. The pandemic revealed both our capacity for fear-driven isolation and our potential for compassionate unity. In the end, Father Mark asserts, only our true self in God will endure—our separations will not survive death. True discipleship lies in choosing love, compassion, and oneness with all people.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.