Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3 NIV)
Here’s a short story: An old man had three sons. They did not love one another so they were not at peace. This made the old man very unhappy. One day, the old man called his sons. He brought a bundle of sticks. He asked his sons to break the bundle one by one. Each of the sons tried to break the bundle, but none succeeded. Then the old man asked his youngest son to untie the bundle. He then gave one stick to each of his sons and said, “Try to break your sticks.” Now they broke their sticks very easily. The old man said, “My boys, you have seen that you cannot break the sticks when they are tied together. But you can break them when they are separated. This is the strength of unity. If you are united, nobody will be able to do any harm. So do not quarrel among yourselves and try to live in peace. Then you will all be happy.” Christ, as the Head of His Most Holy Church, made union between Him and the members of His Body. This union must take effect in the saints between saints. Though it is difficult, we must be diligent to keep it by maintaining peace among ourselves. Peace is what the saints are called unto in the effectual calling: and what is acceptable to God Jesus Christ, who is the God of peace and the Prince of peace; and to the Holy Spirit, whose fruit is peace; and to the Gospel, which is the Gospel of peace; and to the character of the saints, the sons of peace. Let us love one another, Let us serve one another! Let us enjoy the bond of peace!
