“E Pluribus Unum”

“E Pluribus Unum” was the motto proposed for the first Great Seal of the United States by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson in 1776. A Latin phrase meaning “One from Many” offered a strong statement of the American determination to form a single nation from a collection of states. Pictured above is the site of the Ukranian Presidential press service recently held. From center stage Ukranian President Zelensky delivered stirring appeals to the Canadian and U.S. governments for aid in Ukraine’s battle against Russia. Surrounded by his dedicated soldiers and their military hardware it was a present-day declaration of unity similar to that proclaimed in 1776 by our founding fathers. This single statement of unity by one man represented the faith of many Ukrainians in their fight against Russia – “E Pluribus Unum”.

Pictured above is the meeting of NATO Defense Ministers to discuss a unified response to meet the material needs of the defense of the Ukranian people. A single meeting comprised of many nation representatives. The result being to develop one aggregate response from many NATO nations – “E Pluribus Unum”.

Included in recent requests for the needs of the Ukraine people was the above appeal for a Papal visit to the city of Kyiv. Approximately 3.85 million of the Ukranian Greek Catholic Church’s nearly 4.5 million members reside in Ukraine. Catholicism seems to currently represent the largest religious portion of the Ukraine population at slightly under 50% and is approximately equal to the other largest population category which is nonreligious affiliation. To set a perspective, these percentages of religious and nonreligious populations are similar to those recently experienced in the United States. That is, the percentage of religiously unaffiliated population is approximately the same size as the two largest religious groups (Catholics and Protestants). So why would a nation divided in their religious beliefs invite the Pope at this particular time? I believe because in times of crisis faith becomes important to all. We all have some kind of faith – even being an atheist or an agnostic requires faith. Faith thrives in the environment of “one from many”. That is, when many gather in faith, faith increases, and a spirit of unity prevails. One comes from the faith of many. Why is that? It is because unity is in many aspects of our faith. The apostle Paul wrote the church at Ephesus from a Roman prison encouraging them to be “unified in Spirit”, to stay as “one” in faith. Then he explains why. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and the Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Faith unifies many into one. Faith unifies a family, a city, a nation, and a people. It does not matter what the percentages are who believe and who do not believe. Faith spreads like a fire in a spiritually dry and desperate place. I believe in times of crisis faith spreads from person to person. I believe when we enter times of crisis there are those that have a reserve of faith residing in their souls but there are others who have little or no reserves of faith. It is through those who have reserves of faith that comfort is spread to those unprepared. Through many we become one in comfort of a faith. A faith that God is in control regardless of the circumstances.

President Zelensky has reached worldwide acclaim during the last two weeks because of his stand of faith. The whole world is standing and applauding this man who is standing in faith for his people, his nation, and his country in spite of the terrible odds against him. His stand of one is the result of many standing with him – the Ukraine people and the free world! I have no idea what President Zelensky’s religious affiliation is if he has one, but I believe he is a man of faith. It does not matter what church one does or does not attend. What matters in a time of crisis is what is in one’s heart and soul. That is where faith resides. That is where we commune with the God of our understanding. In my faith experience, when we invite God into our crisis, He never leaves us or forsakes us. (Hebrews 13:5) He always sees us through.