UNITY OCTAVE 2023 - UNITED IN GOD, IN GOODNESS

CHRISTIANS UNITED IN JESUS - ALL HUMANS OF GOODWILL UNITED IN FURTHERING GOODNESS

Jan 18 Eph 2:14 Jesus as the PEACE - the reference point of all who claim to be Christians - By his death, he put ENMITY to death! Nations, religions (even Christianity) kill to bring peace, rather, Lord let me die to kill enmity & bring peace! May there be peace for Ukraine!

Unity Octave 2:Mk 4:35 presents Jesus in harmony with the forces of nature - at peace in the storm is His norm. Could we step a little aside off differing dogmas-rituals & make 'faith 4 earth' a united agenda? That the climate change driven foodless millions be provided for!

Jan 19 Mk 4:35-41 Jesus at peace when his boat is tossed up & down by the waves, to me is the yogi in harmony with the elements of nature. He is often seen in the lap of the nature. The Christian churches and other religions can set aside their disputes on the nature and definitions metaphysical; and work unitedly to make the planet tick well! Faith for Earth as the UN suggests - to be the real stewards of the great garden given to their care. This could start with individual & collective action towards waste reduction, zero carbon communities (carbon fasting), greening, in short, responsible consumption & production (SDG 12).

In solidarity with the millions deprived of food due to climate change impact the Russian war!

Jan 20 UNITY OCTAVE 3: Heb 8:10 Dogma divides, benevolence binds. For the Christians, bogged down by dogmas & church laws, God promises to have a new law of invincible goodwill written in the hearts! Focus on Jesus the Unifier, as goodwill personified, setting aside all other pursuits

Heb 8:10 Dogma divides, benevolence binds - For the Christian churches, getting bogged down by dogmas and church laws, the divine promise is to have the new law of invincible goodwill written in the hearts! The new law personified is Jesus - the one, Churchiness tends to set aside; yet waiting to be written on the hearts of Christians. May test of our faith be increase in goodness!

Jan 21 UNITY OCTAVE4: Rom 10:15 The beauty of those who bring goodnews. The primary question before every Christian is whether what s/he shares is goodnews - s/he is goodnews. Goodnews that God cares, God is amidst & within us as shown by Jesus 'who went about doing good' (Acts 10:38).

Jan 22 UNITY OCTAVE5 ICor 1:13 Paul calls for setting aside differences in belief & practice! Practice of what Christ taught, above the differing traditions of prayers - practice of love in action. Lord, let that alone concern those who claim to follow Christ!

UNITY OCTAVE 5: I Cor 1:13-17 Paul raises a crucial question: Has Christ been divided? Was it A/B/C that was crucified.  Could the focus be on Christ and the practice of announcing the goodnews - differences in mode of prayers, way of announcing (but that the announcement is in line with the goodnews, not violating justice, not being self-righteous, not condemnatory) notwithstanding.  Christians still have to discover that powerful goodnews hidden, which Gandhi could discover without becoming a member of a Christian religion. May we awaken to that core of the goodnews, and in turn, be transformed into that! 

Jan 24 UNITY OCTAVE DAY 7

Ps 40:8 is cited by the author of Hebrews 10:9: Here I am to do your will. That is Christ's model. Always & everywhere to seek God's will, which in other words is goodness in thought & action. So test of being a Christ follower is in the effort made in this direction. It is also the test for all who claim to be believers in God - the point on which all can unite. But can there be difference of opinion as to what is goodness?

Jan 25 UNITY OCTAVE DAY 8: Jn 17:11 Jesus' beautiful prayer for unity - As we are one, may they be one! Jesus, the man on earth, experienced the unity with the ultimate as "I and the Father are one". This is still a possibility. Each believer is challenged to a union with God - to an ever increasing degree daily. In turn, those who claim to be believers are challanged to be a channel of unity among peoples and beyond, even with the planet! May 'ekam evan adwitiyam' - the one without a second, guide us all into oneness, into goodness!

UNITY OCTAVE8: Jn 17:11 Jesus prays for unity - As we are one, may they be one! Each believer is challenged to a union with God daily. In turn to be a channel of unity among peoples! May 'ekam evan advitiyam' guide us all into oneness, into goodness!