The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been marked by Christians around the world for over one-hundred years towards the fulfilment of Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper "that they all may be one" (John 17:21). This year, a focus for prayer is, “You shall love the Lord your God …and your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27).” Rather than fearing differences or a loss of denominational identity, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity inspires reflection on the shared love of God in Christ, and the experience of knowing Gods love. All are equal in God’s love and everyone is different.
In the new year, Pope Francis made his monthly prayer intention for January to be for the gift of diversity in the Church. Diversity and unity were already present in the early Church and continue to be both a reason to rejoice and a gift to assist the Church to grow as one body, the body of Christ. Notwithstanding various challenges and realities, when we are guided by the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis says, “abundance, variety and diversity never cause conflict.”
Columban missionaries celebrate the richness of different traditions of prayer and liturgical celebration in the various social and cultural contexts in which they live and serve around the world.
Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM
Peace, Ecology and Justice Office
Columban Mission Centre, Essendon
