The Things That Bind Us
Ubi caritas est vera, est vera:
Deus ibi est. Deus ibi est.
I hate to admit it, but I have no idea what the above means. I know that it is Latin, but since I was born in 1965, the year that the Second Vatican Council ended, I have very limited experience of Latin. When I am at a Mass that uses the Latin sung responses, I always feel a little sad that I can't really join in. I am also aware that in not too many years, few people will be able to. The Tridentine (or Latin) Mass is a part of our rich Catholic heritage, but I can't say that I have any knowledge of it.
Some may think that my Catholic experience is missing something. And yet, as I travel the country, I meet lots of Catholics who have experiences of church that I don't share, and there are Catholic things that I know and treasure that are foreign to others. I think that this diversity is a blessing — that the Catholic church is big enough for all kinds of people and religious experiences. For all the ways that we might be different from each other, there is much more that binds us together.
The love of Christ joins us together.
Let us rejoice in him,
and in our love and care for all
now love God in return.
When I was attending Catholic elementary school, we used to sing the song "They'll Know We Are Christians" at every First Friday Liturgy. Repetition has diminished it in my mind, but a few weeks ago when the Sunday Gospel was the basis for this song, I couldn't get it out of my head.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
If you have love for one another.
(John 13:34-35)
Will they know we are Christians by our love? Is our love extended to those within the Church who may think differently than we do? Bob Hurd wrote the song Ubi Caritas that is quoted throughout this article. His use of the Latin refrain and the powerful verses got me thinking about how something as beautiful as these Latin words are sometimes used to divide us.
In true communion let us gather.
May all divisions cease
and in their place be Christ the Lord,
our risen Prince of Peace.
As the Easter season ends and we return to Ordinary Time, let us not forget the words that Jesus used so often, especially after his resurrection: "Peace be with you." May we learn to hear the truth that others can bring to us on our own faith journey and may we not allow our differences to become divisions. Then peace can truly be with us.
Let us pray:
Gracious and loving God,
You are in each of us
Help us to look at all people with eyes of acceptance.
May all divisions cease so that we can better serve and love you.
And may they know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
Amen.
By the way, I decided to look it up. "Ubi caritas est vera, est vera: Deus ibi est. Deus ibi est." translates to mean: "Where charity and love are, God is there." A very fine message, indeed.
Related Link:
For an interesting interchange on discerning one's conscience, see this blog from Busted Halo (bustedhalo.com).
Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.