Oneness Through Love

God lives and works today. He is at work to build His kingdom of love. Yes, in this age of growing hatred and dissension, God is calling us to be His disciples and to manifest His kingdom in our own lives and in the life of His Church.

Today's meditation by Basilea Schlink tells what happened when a bishop in India dared to answer this call. Several years ago, Mother Basilea, one of the two spiritual mothers and founders of our sisterhood, was called to hold a lecture tour in India. She was supposed to speak in various cities.

But in one of the cities she wondered why the people simply came in streams, even non-Christians. What was the reason? She wrote us, The bishop of this city has not only made large sacrifices that affected his occupational success and his income. No, he had also made every effort he could until there was a oneness of love in his staff.

Years ago, when he first came to that city, the church was pervaded with dissension and quarreling. Church life was at a low ebb. Only a few came to the worship services.

But this bishop entreated God. Something had to be changed. In spite of his heavy work schedule, he withdrew one day a week for prayer and laid this problem of oneness before God.

In his personal life and in the life of his family and friends, he also took this matter seriously, even in the very smallest incident. All conflicts had to be resolved immediately, and no one could remain against anyone else. Now Mother Basilea was astonished.

She saw the power the church had in this bishop's city. She was an eyewitness to a spiritual life deeper than that in any other city on her trip. Radiant joy characterized the large congregation.

Jesus proved that he is the living Lord and showed his power in love as a signpost for countless numbers of godless people. Jesus, the great loving Lord, can only carry out his work here on earth through people who love. For only love is stronger than hatred and quarreling.

Love alone has power to overcome disunity and irreconciliation. Through the living testimony of this bishop, we realize anew that the oneness of love has to begin in our own hearts. Victory over separation and enmity is achieved when I admit my personal guilt and in this humble attitude approach the other person and extend my hand of reconciliation.

Yes, God in his eternal love wants love to be victorious. It has to begin in the lives of Jesus' disciples. Jesus is looking for people who no longer stand by and watch all the hatred and quarreling in the world, even within the Christian church.

Jesus is waiting for people who, like this bishop, radically fight against irreconciliation and unlovingness in their own lives and do everything to let love be victorious. We have to celebrate the triumphs of love in the sight of the visible and invisible world. Then our Lord Jesus Christ will rejoice and he will shine forth through us in his glorious love.

Your likeness print on me, Jesus my master. Let men see you in me and give you honor. You have been listening to a program written by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan.

To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website www.canaan.org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.