May- 2025
God’s Design:
Christ was sent into the world not only to offer us the supreme example of love and sacrifice but also to show us the way of the cross—a path that, though demanding, leads to true freedom. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Following Christ means accepting His radical invitation: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
The Holy Spirit, the promised Comforter, is the guide God gives us so that we may live according to His teachings. “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). The Bible becomes our recipe for life, the Ten Commandments a compass guiding us on the path toward authentic freedom.
Unity among Christians is an essential part of God’s plan. As members of one Body, we are called to collaborate, sharing the gifts received from the Spirit. This is not about uniformity but about a harmony in which diversity blends into a single symphony of faith: “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21).
The Trinitarian relationship invites us to reflect on the very nature of God, a community of perfect love. We are called to live authentic and welcoming relationships, recognizing every person as a child of God: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). To live according to the Spirit means to embrace God’s will and allow ourselves to be transformed by Him, orienting our hearts to His loving plan.
The journey of the Christian life is a pilgrimage toward the fullness of eternal life. Jesus Himself promised: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2-3). Our hope is rooted in Christ, who accompanies and guides us along life’s path, leading us to the eternal banquet where we will be one with Him.
In conclusion, my personal experience of belonging to both the Maronite Church and the Latin Church has taught me that unity is not uniformity, but harmony in diversity within the one Body of Christ. I told myself that if—and we are certain it is so—if God’s plan is to lead humanity to salvation and unity in Christ through the Holy Spirit, then I too, in my everyday life, can catch glimpses of this magnificent design, a gift for each of us, and with great joy return to proclaim what the Lord has done for each of us.
The signs begin at the dawn of time, from the first steps, passing through places, paths, prophets, and peoples. The Lord thus becomes man for us, and every word of His is eternal life. From that moment on, He does not leave us alone—He does not ascend to the Father to distance Himself from us but gives us the Holy Spirit, who is God.
And I too—and you as well—are part of this ancient design that echoes through time. Can I recognize the signs even in my own reality? The Maronite Church was a frontier Church, enclosed in the mountains of Lebanon, physically isolated not only from Rome but also from the rest of the world. The Maronite Church is independent, as are other Eastern Churches; it is united with Rome, recognizing the Pope as the head of the universal Church, successor of Peter, who has direct, immediate, and ordinary jurisdiction over all Catholic faithful, including those of the Eastern Churches. Thus, the physical distance, the spoken languages, the Antiochene or Latin rite, the use of incense or chant, the processions, the more mystical, more Eastern, more spiritual atmosphere, the structure of prayers, or references to different Church Fathers—these may all differ, but the foundation is the same: Christ Jesus.
God’s design is to lead humanity to salvation, and this can be achieved by uniting with Christ through the Holy Spirit. This is the key that allows us to fully live out God’s plan for each of us: to discern the signs that guide us, one way or another, toward the salvation that lies in unity in Christ through the Holy Spirit. - So, can I recognize in my life, in my relationships, the “trace” of the Holy Spirit that enables God’s plan to unfold?
- Can I consider the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches an enrichment for my faith, a different point of view from which to see the same reality?
- Could the synodal spirit be the right attitude for collaborating and responding to God’s design? Each of us has our own answer. The final invitation is to let ourselves be guided by the Holy Spirit to live in unity with Christ, and we will find ourselves as one people on the move.
Dolla Batour El Zoghby, LT OST
UNION OF THE CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE
Piazza San Vincenzo Pallotti, 204 00186 Roma, ITALIA
Tel: (+39) 393.556 0794 E-mail: uacgensec@gmail.com
