The Union of the Church

This is the fourth Sunday in Lent, and our theme for Lent is “I Will: Living Our Baptismal Vows.” Today we’re looking at the fourth baptismal vow, “Do you promise to serve him as your Lord in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?” The focus is on the question of “union,” knowing that historically Christians have differed on matters of policy, belief, understanding of the Bible, and have, through history, split into widely varying denominations. Given that reality, how can we be in union? Today’s reading from John 17 gives us clues when Jesus prays to God that his followers will be one, just as he and God are one, resulting in their knowing that God loves them, just as God loves Jesus. Perhaps we can understand that Christians can differ but be in union with that love.