The principle sign of being a Christian person or a Christian community is living together in unity, serving and forgiving each other. That is why we have a family and a local Christian community. In the times after Jesus’ resurrection, people who did not know Jesus looked at the Christian families and Christian communities and were surprised by their unity and communion. This is what was just as impressive as a stirring homily. Maybe it was even more impressive to see how they loved each other and sacrificed themselves for each other. Despite all their differences, they were able to maintain that communion of life.
The central theme for this year’s week of prayer for Christian unity is love of God and love of neighbor. This is what unites all Christians: living the cross, sacrificing ourselves for the good of others. Loving God and loving others. Jesus repeats this over and over again to his disciples. Yet they were always looking for ways to limit that love. They kept asking him questions about who was their real neighbor or how many times they had to forgive.
Our common call is to live compassion, forgiveness, charity, mercy, justice, and unity.
“You shall love the Lord your God…
and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27
Image: https://paulist.org/the-conversation/christian-unity-through-jesus-name/
Text: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecumenical-interreligious-affairs/week-prayer-christian-unity-2024