This is my prayer: "May they all be one"

This week (from January 18-25) marks the worldwide week of prayer for Christian Unity.  It also marks the 40th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.  And while I am pro-life, and I am very grateful that the Priests at both Masses I went to this weekend decided to focus on this anniversary in their homilies, and that they also mentioned the importance of showing compassion to all people who have been affected by abortion (which is very important) I have to say that I'm a little disappointed that neither one of them mentioned praying for unity among all Christians.

Now, that's not to say that other Priests at other Parishes didn't mention something about it.  I know that the Pastor at my Parish back home in Albuquerque always makes it a point to host an ecumenical prayer service during this week- bringing together peoples from many different faith backgrounds to worship the one God in common.

That is what unity is all about- at least in the beginning stages.  It may take years, even decades, maybe even longer than any of our lifetimes for a full sense of unity, where we can worship united as one people of God, not divided by our differences.  But every time we come together, and enter into dialogue with people of other faith backgrounds, we begin to see that we have much more in common than we realize.

Ecumenism is a fairly recent movement, especially in the Catholic Church, since up until Vatican II 50 years ago, the Catholic Church's stance on other Christian Religions pretty much stated that "All non-Catholics are heretics who are going to Hell." (Sounds really Christian, doesn't it?)  Thankfully we've gotten rid of that viewpoint!  Vatican II's decree on ecumenism, declares that all Christian Religions are not deprived of the mystery of salvation.  And while the language in the document may still seem to give the Catholic Church an air of superiority, even some of that has softened over the past 50 years.  Leadership Conferences of different churches have gotten together with the Bishops conferences to issue statements declaring what beliefs the different churches hold in common.  Some entire Churches (I am thinking mostly of Anglican Congregations, but I am sure there are others) have resolved their differences, and have asked to be re-united with the Pope.  And the Vatican has allowed them to continue to use their unique form of worship to Worship God.  The same is true of Eastern Rite Churches (such as the Byzantine, Chaldean, and Mennonite Rites.)

And while this does show small progress, it does not even barely begin to scratch the surface.  There is so much more that can be done- not just by Church Leadership, but by everyone!  Every time you enter into dialogue with a person of a different faith expression, and seek to understand where that person is coming from (NOT condemn them) you are helping to bring about a greater sense of understanding.  Every time you seek to console a person who is suffering, you make the face of Christ present in that person's life.

And that is what the Christian Life is truly about.  for, as Christ said, "whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Mt 25:40)"  And I am convinced that the Christian Life is one that has to be LIVED, not just talked about.  And of course we all fall short of that reality, but the point is that as long as we are willing to keep trying, we can bring about the face of Christ on earth, and begin to make Christ's great prayer a reality: that "they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. (Jn 17:21).

Let us learn to walk in humility with God and with each other, as we pray:


Open our hearts O Jesus Christ,
to share more perfectly in your prayer to the father that we may be one,
so that as we journey together we may draw closer to one another.
Send your Spirit to empower and challenge us to answer your call to unity.  
Show us what your Father, the God of Life, requires of us, 
and lead us to justice, peace and oneness in your Name.
our Lord, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, 
Now and forever. Amen.

What if?

"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"

It's an interesting thought, isn't it? Kind of makes a person wonder: How different would my life be?

Would I have a roof over my head? Clothes to wear? a car to drive? Money? A loving and caring family? a job? Friends? Health?

Kind of puts things into a new perspective, doesn't it?  Maybe the better question to ask is "how much of what I have do I take for granted?"

I know if I were to be asked that question, the answer is "a lot." The "attitude of gratitude" isn't exactly one that is prevalent in American society... It seems like our attitude is more like "I want it my way, and I want it now, and God help the person who doesn't give me exactly what I want."  We look for reasons to complain about everything, and so often, fail to thank people who do things for us- when was the last time you thanked the person who does the grocery shopping in your household? (and I'm not just saying that because I do the shopping hahaha) Or thanked the people you come into contact with a daily basis, who do service tasks such as cleaning, or ringing up purchases, or answering phones... etc?

This is a crazy thought, but it occurs to me that if we took the time to be grateful towards other people that would do a lot for making the world a better place.  My prayer for this new year is that we can learn to stop taking everything for granted, and learn to be grateful for the things that others do for us, both big and small! And above all, I hope that we can learn to be grateful to God for so richly blessing us, and for sending his Son to us, so that we may come to know him, and have Eternal Life through Christ.  Just as Christ was revealed to the Magi through the light of the star, so may Christ's light shine in us, and through us, so that others may come to know Him through our words, deeds, and actions.  AMEN!!