80
of fraternal communion. Let everyone admire
how you care for one another, and how you en-
courage and accompany one another: âBy this
everyone will know that you are my disciples, if
you have love for one anotherâ (
Jn
13:35). This
was Jesusâ heartfelt prayer to the Father: âThat
they may all be one... in us... so that the world
may believeâ (
Jn
17:21). Beware of the tempta-
tion of jealousy! We are all in the same boat and
headed to the same port! Let us ask for the grace
to rejoice in the gifts of each, which belong to all.
100.âThose wounded by historical divisions
find it difficult to accept our invitation to forgive-
ness and reconciliation, since they think that we
are ignoring their pain or are asking them to give
up their memory and ideals. But if they see the
witness of authentically fraternal and reconciled
communities, they will find that witness lumi-
nous and attractive. It always pains me greatly to
discover how some Christian communities, and
even consecrated persons, can tolerate different
forms of enmity, division, calumny, defamation,
vendetta, jealousy and the desire to impose cer-
tain ideas at all costs, even to persecutions which
appear as veritable witch hunts. Whom are we
going to evangelize if this is the way we act?
101.âLet us ask the Lord to help us understand
the law of love. How good it is to have this law!
How much good it does us to love one another,
in spite of everything. Yes, in spite of everything!
Saint Paulâs exhortation is directed to each of us:
