As we gaze at our chaotic and shattered world, perhaps Paul’s words will provide the way forward. As a faithful Jew, he stressed the oneness of God – and then extended this to the community of believers. One faith, one baptism, one God – and then one body and one spirit. We deceive ourselves when we think that we are separate and autonomous from others or that we are separate and distant from God. We are all one – the divisions and separations are in our heads. It is the Spirit that will awaken us to this reality. The hatreds and divisions will begin to disappear. But we must each start with ourselves. We must realise that we live in interdependence with each other.

It is said that we should read the newspaper in one hand and the Gospels in the other. If we observe carefully and prayerfully, we will begin to see the hand of God at work. We will also become aware of the areas of great need, and we will hopefully respond with active compassion.

Jesus gives us good advice: take care of your unfinished business now by forgiveness and reconciliation, or the situation will grow worse. And we will carry our unfinished business into the world to come – we do not escape it or leave it behind. So, Jesus tells us, the time is now. Just do it!