Daily Office readings for October 1, 2026
Psalm 131, 132, 133, 134, 135; Micah 3:1–8; Acts 24:1–23; Luke 7:36–50
“How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” Psalm 133 gives us two images for that unity: the oil poured on Aaron and the dew of Hermon.
The oil is poured on Aaron, Israel’s high priest, to consecrate him for service. The psalm compares people dwelling together in unity to that precious anointing. In a Christian reading, I also hear an echo of the New Testament, where anointing is connected with the Holy Spirit and Paul describes the Spirit joining many people into one body. The psalm’s second image, the dew of Hermon, suggests refreshment and life. The psalm says that God commands a blessing there: life forevermore.
These images lead me to see unity as a gift rooted in relationship with God. For Christians, our unity grows from our shared life with God through the Spirit. That unity does not require us to hold identical beliefs or follow identical practices.
Peter Meiderlin, writing under the name Rupertus Meldenius, is associated with the saying, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” But deciding what is essential is not simple. Christians have often disagreed about where to draw that line.
John Wesley gave voice to this struggle in his sermon “Catholic Spirit”: “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion?” He was asking whether differences in opinion and worship must prevent Christians from loving one another.
I have seen how quickly a difference in practice can become a boundary. In seminary, I got in trouble for how high I held the chalice. I was told I was “being Catholic.” To me, the height of the chalice was a nonessential difference. I also remember the criticism Billy Graham received for allowing Catholics to participate in his crusades. Some considered that cooperation a compromise.
These experiences remind me that our understanding of truth shapes our understanding of unity. I have seen Christians give so much weight to one interpretation of Scripture that reason and experience receive little room. I have also seen people major on reason and lose sight of Scripture’s primacy. My Wesleyan formation taught me to bring Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience into conversation, with Scripture primary. I need the humility to keep learning from that conversation.
I have often been guilty of judging others myself. This is not an easy lesson for me; it has taken a renewing of the mind. I am learning that love does not require agreement. It asks me to listen, treat others with care, and remain open to the grace that can change my own understanding.
This love reaches beyond Christian relationships. I distinguish the unity Christians share through God from the relationships we build with people of other faiths and with those who are nonreligious. We may not share the same beliefs, yet we can still love, respect, and care for one another.
Where have you seen disagreement grow into division? What might love look like when agreement is beyond reach?
-The Curious Pilgrim
Sources: Book of Common Prayer, Daily Office readings for October 1, 2026; John Wesley, Sermon 39, “Catholic Spirit”; Peter Meiderlin/Rupertus Meldenius, saying on unity, liberty, and charity.
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