Longing for Unity

How can an obstacle turn out to be a step ahead towards unity?

Interdependence implies a mutual relationship between two parties who influence one another. This relationship cannot be lived out perfectly between individuals or among nations if it is not characterized by mutual respect and understanding, by the capacity to embrace the difficulties and issues that each faces, and by the desire to welcome one another’s unique gifts. Practically speaking, it requires mutual love as it is lived out between true brothers and sisters.

Interdependence between brothers and sisters presupposes, in fact, the choice of respectful dialogue as opposed to hegemony, and the practice of sharing among all as opposed to concentrating resources and expertise exclusively in certain parts of the world.

Interdependence between brothers and sisters is actually “mutual dependence,” because it implies that affirming my identity cannot be achieved either by being defensive or by opposing others, but only through a communion of resources, civic virtues, cultural riches, and political and institutional experience.

But these are not just my own words. They are the fruit of the experience of the Focolare Movement, to which I belong and which is the effect of a charism of the Holy Spirit. It is a multicultural, multi-ethnic and religiously diverse Movement that has now spread to 182 nations, with millions of adherents whose goal is to bring about universal brotherhood.

This same experience gave rise to a certainty and a renewed confidence in me as I interpreted, for example, what occurred after the Twin Towers were destroyed. While that tragic event was clearly a moment of the greatest breakdown in relationships among individuals and peoples, paradoxically it also appeared to me as an opportunity for the world to take a step forward toward universal brotherhood.

My feelings were confirmed in the hours immediately succeeding that terrible event by the eyewitness accounts and reactions I gathered from many Focolare members around the world. From the United States, they told me that in the midst of the tragedy that had shaken the whole nation, the American people were experiencing a perhaps unprecedented sense of solidarity and a willingness to share what they had with those in need. Christian and African-American Muslim communities joined together and reacted to the backlash of hatred by visibly demonstrating the deep fraternal bond that exists between them.

Similar confirmations came from Algeria, the Palestinian territories, Jerusalem, as well as from South Africa and from all the European nations. Young and old, members of different faiths, everyone assumed a greater and more conscious sense of responsibility. From that day on, our commitment to build unity among all peoples acquired greater conviction and determination …

In my lifetime, I have come to know countless individuals, groups and peoples. I always find that the longing for unity is an unquenchable aspiration in the heart of every human being, of every social group, of every people.

Experience has shown me how to recognize the steps that mark the progress of humanity, to the point of being able to affirm that human history is nothing more than a slow, unstoppable journey toward universal brotherhood. However, unity is a journey that needs to be guided and supported.

After thousands of years of history marked by the fruits of violence and hatred, we have every right to ask that humanity now begin to experience the fruits of love, and not only of love lived out among individuals, but also among peoples.

Chiara Lubich

From Chiara Lubich, “Essential Writings,” New City Press, 2007, pp. 264-268