Christian Unity

In the Roman Catholic Church, next week begins "The week of Prayer for Christian Unity." I think this is a good thing for all Christians. Jesus, himself, prayed for our unity just hours before being crucified. While praying, Jesus was so broken for this unity and for us, that his sweat became blood. There is a scientific term for it but it basically means that do to stress and anguish his capillaries broke open and bled. This shows how important His desire for our unity was/is. I believe that at time, Jesus knew all the heartbreak and fighting that would happen over the centuries by his followers. I commend the Catholic Church for its prayer of unity. I think that all Christians should have an attitude of love and unity. Jesus said that people will know we are His followers because we love each other. Our love for each other needs to override any differences we have.

I think we should have the attitude of this french bishop who said, ""Some aspects of the Mystery of the faith have been developed better by each Christian tradition.

The Christians of the East have always emphasized the resurrection of Christ that already transfigures the world. Is it not because of this that in past centuries many of them were able to endure decades of suffering? The East has preserved the teaching of the Church Fathers with great fidelity. Monasticism, which it gave to the West, has breathed a life of contemplation into the entire Church. Can Western Christians become more open to these treasures?

The Christians of the Reformation have strongly stressed these Gospel realities: God offers his love freely and unconditionally; by his Word he comes to whoever listens to it and puts it into practice; the simple trusting of faith leads to the freedom of the children of God; singing together allows the Word of God to penetrate us. Are not these values essential for all Christians?

The Catholic Church has kept visible, throughout history, the universality of communion in Christ. It has constantly looked for a balance between the local Church and the universal Church. One cannot exist without the other. A ministry of communion at all levels has helped to maintain unanimity in the faith. Cannot all baptized persons go further in a progressive understanding of this ministry?"

I hope you will join in with our fellow Christians next week and pray for unity. May your heart be so broken for your fellow brothers and sisters that our prayers are like Christ's.