I was sincerely touched by the thoughtfulness of a letter written by someone I’ve never met; yet I was also equally impressed by its spiritual depth. How true is the mysterious fact that we are all connected and somehow share in each other’s triumphs and trials. Our Catholic Faith teaches that by baptism we become incorporated, or united, into the Body of Christ. In the Gospel of Saint John, our Lord says: “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Saint Paul would speak about the “body of believers,” a body where every single person has a function and a purpose.

We have all had the occasion to use the popular expression, “It’s a small world.” Those who have traveled into outer space have spoken about the powerful sense of solidarity they feel with everyone in the world as they look out their window and see the earth the size of a quarter. Is it not true that the things which unite us are many, while the things which divide us are so few? Human nature is such that it is impossible to find a person who doesn’t somehow share in our experience of life with all of its pains and pleasures.

Travel deep into some dark tropical jungle or scale a snow-capped mountain. What kind of people will you discover? Probably someone much like you! We would find people who love their children, enjoy a festive meal, stand in awe before a beautiful sunset, and weep over the loss of a loved one. While we may all appear different on the outside, through the eye of an X-ray machine, we’re all essentially the same. What is deepest and most hidden within us is where we are most the same.

This reality of our oneness in the Mystical Body of Christ is essential if we fully understand and appreciate what it means to be Catholic. The word “catholic” was used in the early centuries to describe the evident and essential unity of the Church. Despite the exterior differences like language and culture, all the baptized were one, since they shared the same faith and life in Christ. The one body of believers had one head (the authority of the apostles) and one heart (the unity of belief) which was celebrated, signified, and strengthened in the sharing of the one Eucharistic sacrifice. The unity and harmony of the early believers was recognized even by their persecutors who witnessed their mutual unity, support, charity, and peace.

As the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family, we not only consider the home life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, but of the Universal Church, which is called to emulate their oneness. How beautiful the Church would be if all of its members humbly obeyed the head and were guided by the heart of Christ! Such unity and harmony would give us a wonderful foretaste of heaven as we make our way on this earthly pilgrimage. If we would only take the time and the opportunities to care for and support one another, many who are now separated would truly be attracted, seek Holy Baptism, and build up the Body of Christ.

The saying is true: “A sorrow shared is half a sorrow; a joy shared is double the joy.” In prayer we discover the authentic identity of the Church—not as an institution, but as a holy family. Considering this, the woman who wrote my mother such a kind letter is neither “a complete stranger” nor even a friend. No, she is in Christ my sister, since after all, we have the same Father.

Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR