Christ is the bond of unity

On Tuesday the Sixth week of Easter our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the first letter of the apostle John (2:12-17) entitled "Obedience to the will of God". Our treasure, which follows, is from a commentary on the Gospel of John by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, bishop. Saint Cyril's great Commentary on John focuses its theological fire power against Arianism. The commentary, which is addressed to catechists, displays Cyril's breath-taking mastery of the full content of the Bible and his painstaking attention to detail as he seeks to offer practical teaching on the cosmic story of God's salvation. In today's treasure, "Christ is the Bond of Unity", Saint Cyril explains that Jesus unites believers to Himself and to one another through the Holy Spirit. By sharing in Christ's life—especially through the Eucharist and the Spirit—the faithful become one body in Him, despite their differences. Cyril teaches that Christian unity is not merely agreement or friendship, but a real spiritual communion rooted in Christ Himself, who draws people into union with God and with each other. The first reading today from the First Epistle of John teaches that true communion with God is shown through faith in Jesus Christ, obedience to His commandments, and genuine love for others. The letter emphasizes that "God is love," and therefore Christians must live in the light by rejecting sin, practicing forgiveness, and loving one another sacrificially. It also assures believers of God's mercy and eternal life while warning against false teachings and a faith that exists only in words rather than actions.