Sigríður Halldórsdóttir

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Since the sixteenth century, the 17^th chapter of the Gospel of John has been called Jesus's “high priestly prayer.” Jesus speaks as an intercessor, with words addressed directly to the Father. His prayer is a sincere petition for present (Jn 17:6–19) and future (Jn 17:20–21) disciples. In the prayer, he yearns for the complete unity of his disciples (Jn 17:23). He is not saying that we all need to be the same, but despite being diverse, there should be complete unity. In my interpretation, he is calling for complete unity in diversity, a concept that I believe is at the heart of our SD-E community.

Seven years ago, I had a profound experience of unity in diversity at my first SD-E Annual Meeting in Minsteracres, England. It was there that I truly felt the undercurrent of God's love that permeates all that SD-E stands for. This love is what makes our community a healing and serving one, characterized by compassion and commitment. I also experienced respect, integrity, honesty, generosity, and deep prayerful solidarity. This experience led me to become a Life Member at my first meeting. I felt I was being loved and blessed so that I might more deeply love and bless others, and I felt called to deeper intimacy with God and a passion for serving others through spiritual direction. Last, but not least, I experienced a dedication to excellence in spiritual direction.

My hope for us in SD-E is that we may become an example of a community pleasing to God. I hope we keep on being Christocentric and everything that Jesus Christ asked for in a community of his disciples. Most importantly, I hope our passion for serving others through spiritual direction will always be at the forefront and that we will always dare to be the best God has called us to be.

Jesus Prays for All Believers (Jn 17: 20-23)

²⁰“My prayer is not for them alone. I also pray for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that 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. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.