By Jenna Ebener
A reflection
In a world filled with such apparent division, I have been noticing many beautiful reminders that we all have more in common than we may think.
I bring Communion to a senior living community one Sunday a month and do a brief service. I was struck the other day by how the Eucharist brings us all together. The residents that come vary in age. They all have different physical abilities. Some cannot hear well; others cannot read; some cannot walk, and others speak little English. Some hands are open wide to receive the Eucharist while others have gnarled fingers or no hand at all. Yet, I cannot help but think of the beauty of each and every one of their hands or mouths as they open up to God’s gift of his body. It does not matter what they look like or how they receive Jesus. They are coming together in community to receive Jesus, and that is what matters.
Now, let us look at a completely different setting. I recently was at a Christmas party that had a silent disco option. The premise is that everyone puts on a pair of headphones. There are a few music stations to choose from, each a different color. You choose what you want to listen to and dance away. I had a lot of fun watching everyone around us, seeing if most people were listening to the same station. Every now and then, one or two people would start singing or dancing exuberantly, and others would switch over to that station. Yet, there was always a variety, and there was zero judgement for being on a different station than others. It was an environment of shared joy, with everyone having the power to choose what they liked while still being united with others.
Finally, ‘tis the season for Christmas movies. As I have been enjoying getting into the holiday spirit by watching my favorite holiday movies, I have started to see a theme of unity. There are many movies, like “The Santa Clause” and “Elf,” that focus on the belief in Santa. At the end of both movies, adults are astounded by the presence of Santa in his sleigh. When they see him, their previous doubt and skepticism suddenly disappear. They are united in their ability to finally believe after seeing.
What do all of these examples have in common? We all have the capability to come together in unity. We just need to find that common thread. Even if our beliefs and worldviews are different, we all are still children of God. We all have the common thread of humanity and being made in God’s image. Oftentimes, it simply takes one person to change the tide. It takes one person to model by example, to treat others with the love of God. Then others follow suit. Joy is contagious. When we let the love of God fill us up, or if it is clearly filling someone else up, that love quickly spreads. Even not directly spiritual events, like music or movies, can still allow us to see and spread the goodness that is in each and every one of us.
How are you letting the joy of the Christmas season fill you and find unity with others? “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1, 4-5).
(Jenna Ebener, a graduate of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, is a social worker at a school in Colorado for students with a combination of medical, cognitive and behavior disabilities. She relies on God every day to aid her on this wonderful, yet intense journey.)
