Divisions vs. Diversities

From an evolutionary perspective, division seems to be a kind of survival instinct. When food and mates are short in supply in a given region, organisms sharing similar genes must spread out in order to maximize the chances of survival in order to pass on their genes. If they stick together, all would perish. Of course, without sharp claws and teeth, human beings needed to stick together. There is always a tension between this staying together and spreading out, both of which serve the purpose of our survival in different manners. The tendency to stay together gains the upper hand most of the time. Still division is inevitable. Both tendencies seem to be built-in elements of the human nature as a result of evolution.

I don't like you and I can live without you. Goodbye. That was how a united kingdom split into Israel and Judah after the death of Solomon. That was how the Roman Church in the West split with the Orthodox Church in the East in the eleventh century. That was how the Catholic Church in Europe further split into many Protestant Churches until today. Along with division come a lot of killings and sufferings. Reading Ezekiel today, I wonder how God is going to join Judah and Israel together into one again, to join the Christian Churches into one again.

say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am about to take the stick of Joseph (which is in the hand of Ephraim) and the tribes of Israel associated with him; and I will join with it the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, that they may be one in my hand (Ezekiel 37:19).
If I have not misunderstood this prophecy, God ends all divisions. Only God can unite them. Israel and Judah may become one again in God's hand. The Roman Church and the Orthodox Church may become one again in God's hand. The Protestant Churches and the Catholic Church may become one again in God's hand. But there seems not to be enough sufferings. When will God come to stop them all?
then say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all sides, and bring them to their own land;
and I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms.
They shall not defile themselves any more with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God (Ezekiel 37:21-23).
Why are there still divisions? Are we not Your people, and You our God now?
My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Then the nations will know that I the LORD sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is in the midst of them for evermore (Ezekiel 37:27-28).
Is Your dwelling place not in our midst now? Or was Ezekiel being over-optimistic? How long shall we live with such divisions?

Perhaps these are not divisions but diversities. It has been nearly 500 years since the Reformation and 1000 years since the Great Schism between the West and the East. Each has developed their own traditions catering for their specific needs. Each is nurtured and maintained by their own customs and practices. Many more peoples find their desires and needs satisfied. I always imagine what if there were no Reformation. Christ's Church would not shed her European outlook. Reaching out to the Americas and Asia, the Church encountered many different civilizations and her theology is much enriched. Uniformity is never a beneficial option. Unity allowing for diversities is what we need. Diversities are to be celebrated.

Dear Lord, You die for all and share Your eternal life for us all. In this coming Holy Week, we celebrate Your Paschal Mystery. Allow us to celebrate our diversities in unity, one heart, one soul. Amen.