On the eve of the Passion, Jesus prayed "for the unity of his people, for the Church." But Jesus "knows that the spirit of the world" is "a spirit of division, of war, of envy, jealousy, even in families, even in religious families, even in the diocese, even in the Church as a whole: it is the great temptation".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Christians today must seek unity and be ready to fight to prevent the spirit of the world" from insinuating itself between them, because it is" a spirit of division, of war, of envy, jealousy, even in families, even in religious families, even in the diocese, even throughout the entire Church". The was Pope Francis  message in his homily at Mass celebrated this morning in Casa Santa Marta, inspired by the "great prayer of Jesus" in the Upper Room.

On the eve of the Passion, the Pope recalled, Jesus prayed that Christians "be one" as Jesus is with his Father. He did not want to pray only for his disciples but also for those who will believe in Him "through their word." A phrase heard so many times, to which the Pope called for extra attention.

"Maybe, we do not pay enough attention to these words: Jesus prayed for me! This is a source of confidence: He prays for me, he prayed for me ... I imagine - but it is a figure – what is Jesus like before the Father in Heaven. Like this: He prays for us, he  prays for me. And what doers the Father see? His wounds, the price. The price he paid for us. Jesus prays for me with his wounds, with his wounded heart and he will continue to do so. "

Jesus prays "for the unity of his people, for the Church." But Jesus "knows that the spirit of the world" is "a spirit of division, of war, of envy, jealousy, even in families, even in religious families, even in the diocese, even in the Church as a whole: it is the great temptation".

“One that leads to gossip, to labelling and judging people. All attitudes, the Pope said, that this prayer calls asks us to banish. "We have to be one, united, just as Jesus and the Father are one. This is the challenge of all Christians must face: do not give way to division between us, do not let the spirit of division, the father of lies come between us. Always seek unity. Everyone is different, but we must try to live in unity. Jesus has forgiven you? Forgive everyone. Jesus prays that we be one, one. And the Church has a great need of this prayer of unity. "

There is no such thing, said the Pope, as a church held together by the "glue", because the unity that Jesus prays for "is a grace of God" and "a struggle" on earth. "We have to make room for the Spirit to transform us so we may be as the Father is in the Son, that we may be one".

"And another advise that Jesus gave as he took his leave - said Francis- is to abide in Him: 'Abide in me'. He asks for this grace, that we all abide in Him. And here he shows us why, he clearly says: 'Father, I want those you have given me, they also may be with me where I am'. That is, that they abide there, with me. Abiding in Jesus, in this world, in the end abiding with Him 'tat they may  contemplate my glory.' "

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