Today, the Church celebrates the liturgical Memorial of Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych, OSBM (1580-1623), a Polish-Lithuanian monk who served as an Archeparch (Archbishop) of the Ruthenian Catholic Church. On 12 November 1623, he was killed by an angry mob in Vitebsk, located in modern-day Belarus.
At a time when there were many conflicts in the Church, Saint Josaphat was enacting the prayer that Jesus offered in the gospel for today's liturgy. Speaking in prayer, Jesus asked: Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us (Jn 17:20-21).
Unity between people is a precious but very fragile gift. It should always be protected, and strengthened by the assurance of prayer so that it can be divinely inspired. We can be assured of Jesus' continual prayer for all of us: that we too may be united and learn to appreciate and value the gifts that each of our brothers and sisters has to offer.
Have a great day.
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