Jesus had a great desire that our unity now, in this world, should prefigure the final unity of the faithful with Him in His Father’s house. 

 

On Holy Thursday night, Jesus prayed that His followers “… may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.” (Jn 17:21)

 

Jesus’ final prayer before He began His suffering speaks not only to our unity in faith as His followers. It also highlights a shared desire that is written into the heart of every man, woman and child. It is the earthly desire to be united and not divided from our brothers and sisters.

 

Of course we all recognize that unity does not seek to wipe out legitimate diversity. We know that differences in culture, personality, experience or age can add depth and zest to the unity of a group.

 

But the real opposite of unity is division and the sinful disharmony that is the calling card of the devil himself. And when we encounter that division, we shy away and find it disruptive and unfulfilling.

 

In our society it can be argued that there are two particular areas that highlight and even foster our divisions. And those areas are related. They are our politics and the media.

 

Nothing seems to draw the line among groups, friends and family than political views. As a country we are pretty close to a 50-50 division on the main political parties. Compromise that used to seek to bring together differences in politics has all but disappeared.

 

That division is reflected as well in our media, particularly in our individual choice of where to get our news. CNN? MSNCB? FOX News? 

 

In many ways those choices, and the selections and emphases of those sources, particularly how they discuss our politics and our culture, are further indicators of how disunited we are.

 

This month, we honor and celebrate a significant effort to foster unity in our public thinking and discourse. February is Catholic Press Month. The theme for this month in our own Catholic press is “Sharing the Story.” That theme of course, includes the story of our faith, our Church and all those who serve Christ through serving others

 

Both politics and the mainstream media are typically dismissive of, if not downright hostile to, the role of faith in society. As a result, the stories of faith, including the consolation of prayer and the sacraments in people’s lives, the good resulting from a life of moral virtue and sacrifice, and the countless acts of sacrifice and generosity to those in need, often go unmentioned.

 

The Catholic press routinely highlights acts of goodness and charity and the place of God at the heart of human fulfillment in story after story that we would not find elsewhere.

 

In our own Diocese of Rockford, our diocesan newspapers The Observer (and its more-recent Spanish edition El Observador) has served as a source of inspiration and unity since 1935. 

 

They give a running and compelling account of the lives of our parishes, of the faith of individuals, as well as the challenges and joys that we all face and find in the daily living of our Catholic faith.

 

In this time of scandal and confusion, even within the Church, our Catholic press is able to add not only honesty but also perspective to the discussions of our time. The teaching of Pope Francis, my own efforts as Bishop of Rockford, and the actions of the bishops of our country are also given a forum to help our consciences and our faith.

 

In a time of constant division, the Catholic press helps us to fulfill the unity that Christ prayed for, with Him and with each other. It’s good to have a month to remind ourselves of that important service.