The phrase “the hidden Christ in all religions” is sometimes used to describe Christ’s presence in religions other than Christianity. But Paul’s words do not speak of hiddenness, but rather about revelation. We see the essence of Christ in every religion even if we do not see the person of Jesus. Or to say it differently, Christ is found in any who live like him.
This is the ultimate integration. Christ is the thread running throughout the cosmos, binding us to one another with a sacred oneness. Buddhists call it interbeing. Christians call it loving our neighbor as ourselves. As Paul put it, “all are one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28).I
It is an integration that creates accountability and responsibility. We are, in fact, our brother’s guardian, no matter what Cain said. The universal Christ weaves a tapestry of singularity. Life is life together. Separating the threads destroys the tapestry. Eliminating our oneness destroys the world.