Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren for dwell together in unity/'(Psalm 133: 1)
Aesop (620-564 BC), the famous storyteller of Ancient Greek, wrote a literary fable of a family whose two sons were always fighting and annoying each other. The father became sad because of their behavior and wanted to teach them a lesson they would never forget. One day, he brought home a bunch of thin and dry branches that were tied together. He challenged his sons to break the bunch in half. The younger brother tried first, followed by the elder, but they were not able to break the bunch in half. Then, the father untied the rope and, separating the sticks, handed them to the children, asking them to break them. Of course, they were able to break them easily. The lesson was simple but meaningful:
«If you stay united, you will be strong and no one will be able to defeat you; but if you separate or are not united, anyone can easily break you.» There is strength in unity
The Holy Scriptures mentions several siblings and their stories: Cain and Abel;
Esau and Jacob; Joseph and his brothers; Moses, Aaron, and Miriam; Peter and Andrew; Lazarus, Martha, and Mary… In many cases, the relationships between them were complex and painful. Cain murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy. Esau and Jacob competed since birth for the birthright. Joseph was abused and sold as a slave by his brothers. Moses, Aaron, and Miriam had serious differences. Lazarus and his sisters often disagreed. Sometimes, the end of their story was happy; other times, it was devastating; other times, the end was unknown. What seems to be true is the fact that problems are common among siblings. God does not want jealousy, rivalry and hate between siblings. Today’s verse emphasizes this and sets an example for the church which is God’s family, and also for each individual members of a family John, the young disciple whom Jesus loved, asks us to love one another and reminds us that true love only comes from God, and that «everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love» (1 John 4:7, 8)
You may have some problems with your siblings or have children who are always fighting and competing. The solution consists in of applying true love that comes from an intimate relationship with God, the source of love. While strength from unity (like the example of Aesop’s fable) is important, it is insufficient. God love is the complete solution. Search for today!