United with Jesus

Let Us Be United with Jesus Sr Acquelina CMC

We see in several places of the Bible that we should be closely united with Jesus. He blesses abundantly those who are united with him. The spirit of God went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you, while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will abandon you"(2 Chr 15:2). When we thus remain united with him the words from Revelation become fulfilled in us: "Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne"(3:20-21).

If we are united with God, he will tell us as the father of the prodigal son told the elder boy, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours"(Lk 15:31). Jesus knows the thoughts of our heart. We must become one with him through faith. To believe in God is to live in him. If we believe his word, there is no room for distress or trouble. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me"(Jn 14:1). "If God is with us, who is against us?"(Rom 8:31).Once a preacher of the word of God repeated this last saying several times when a ruffian stood over him with drawn dagger. The word of God instantly rendered the terrorist totally helpless. The dagger dropped from his hand as he slumped to the floor.

This remaining with the Lord is union with him. There is a superior kind of glue that sticks things together for several years. Similarly we too must be united with Jesus through his word.

When Jesus is away from us we will be troubled with many problems. Cast all those problems and circumstances at the feet of Jesus. They will melt like mist. The boat in which the disciples were travelling was caught in the storm and was about to be wrecked. Jesus came walking on the sea. When they desired to take him into the boat it suddenly reached the shore. On another occasion they woke up Jesus who was asleep in the boat. Then fear fled. The sea became calm. When we remain united with Jesus every problem will be solved. "I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing"(Jn 15:5). It is through personal prayer that this divine love flows into our souls. That is the source. Unless we remain united with Jesus, the Vine, we shall not be able to do anything. It is absolutely necessary to abide in him and he in us. The vine is not like other plants or trees. Fruit is borne only on the branches. The vine, therefore, cannot bear fruit unless it has branches. Likewise Jesus needs me. The kingdom of God will spread only if I remain united with Jesus. "You will be my people and I will be your God" (Ez 36:28).

This life is not for us. It is for the glory of God. To understand this we must remain united with Jesus. Then sublime desires arise in our hearts. Change occurs in our thoughts and our desires. We are enabled to discern the enemy. Our greatest enemies are the selfish desires in our heart. We must win total victory over evil. We must be fully washed and be purified. If we must see with God within us we must see the God in others. At every Mass the events of Jesus' life become mine. Let us remain united with Jesus at every Mass and offer the sacrifice of our life to the Father. Says Mark in 3:14: "And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message"(Mk 3:14). Jesus says, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them"(Jn 14:23).

Similarly we too can become the disciples of Jesus, understand the mentality of Jesus to live in union with him, "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?'"(Mt 6:3). To those who wait upon the Lord, ask him to reveal his will and live to glorify him, he will give whatever is needed. God is faithful in his promises. "Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them ; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honour them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation"(Ps 91:14-16). What great blessings are given to those who are united with him! "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me"(Ps 3:5). We are in the hands of God. He will guide every step of ours. We are secure. "If you will diligently observe this entire commandment that I am commanding you, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him"(Deut 11:22) God will destroy our enemies. Friendship with this world is enemity with God. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"(Jam 4:7). "You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters"(1 Cor 7:23). We are therefore obliged to live in union with Jesus. Let us rejoice in it. Henceforth let us be with Jesus.