In today's gospel, Jesus asks God to unite the disciples in purpose, as they go into the world to spread his word. Jonathan use this theme to explore the history of unifications and divisions within the Lutheran church. Christ himself shows that unity in love is the way things should be - from the parable of the good Samaritan to dining with tax collectors and other "undesirables." Later Paul writes "There is no longer Jew nor Greek...", telling us that all lines of division need to be erased. As Jesus commanded, "Love one another, even as I have loved you."
