Can we achieve a "great fraternity"?

"The globalization of indifference must give way to a globalization of fraternity..."

Pope Francis

World Day of Peace 2014

I just thought, can we really achieve such a great fraternity?

"Fraternity" was the key theme of Pope Francis' message during the World Day of Peace. Again here is a voice of Christ's Vicar echoing in the midst of a confusing age resounding for unity among men. Everyone is challenged by a great individualism, a relativistic culture, and skepticism that draws man away from his identity and destiny. This vision towards a great fraternity is a call to rekindle and restore the once fraternal relationship of Christians in the early centuries.

Why was it that the growth of Christianity was spreading rapidly in the early centuries? Ironic it may be, there were more and more converts as more and more blood of martyrs spilled from persecutions. In an age where the Church is very much uncomfortable, there she produces many saints. Faith is lived. That is basically the reason. The heart and the devotion for the Lord is explicitly and apparently alive. Christianity is not a position or a title that one can just abandon when he feels not liking it. It neither is a party (like a political one) nor an organization where one's ideas and needs must jive otherwise he will disband. No. Christianity is not based on feelings or one's personal perspective but a decision to follow. It is a lifestyle.

Christianity is not about doctrines. Over and above all the Church's teachings, the focal point is always a person, that of Jesus Christ. All else are only extensions. What Christianity preach and teach is about a WHO and not a 'what.' Being in the Church is not just being a member but adhering to a Person wherein we submit ourselves in order to adopt a certain lifestyle- the lifestyle of Christ. Jesus taught us to love one another and that is just it. Love summarizes the whole Christian tradition- the love of God and the love of neighbor. Fraternity can only be achieved if we ourselves know how to love, that is, to pardon others in their mishaps, to forgive them in their wrong doings, to pray for them even if they hurt us, to provide for their needs to the extent that we can whether or not we are close to them, and to be a family to those who have none. Love is the summit of all relationships. It must be the root of every action. In the end, we are only to be judged by how we have loved.

So with the question whether we can achieve it or not, I say yes we can. The early disciples and Christian communities had this and that is why they were able to attract more converts. Christians attract more when they are able to emulate Christ through their daily living. Love was that key which many asked, "How could they do such things?" Love amazed the gentiles. Love was the binding force for every Christian. It was love that paved for a great fraternity. Selfishness and personal motives had no room. True enough, Pope Francis also noted that "The culture of personal well-being leads to a loss of the sense of responsibility and fraternal relationships." We need to be sensitive to the needs of others. We need to rekindle a fraternal bond. Yes we can.