"They Showed us Unusual kindness" (Act 28: 2) is the theme chosen by the Christian Churches in Malta for the Week of Prayer for Chritian Unity, or Ecumenical week of prayer this year of 2020 (January 18-25). Being a member of Metro Ecumenical Youth Group, I had chances to attend some Ecumenical activities during this week of Prayer for Christian Unity. My conviction is that unity is a gift of God given in the body of Christ, where we all need each other. Consequently, to work for the unity of the Church is to work for the unity of all life. At the same time, being given a gift makes us stewards of the gift and disciples for unity. Unity is the call to carry on, to continue building up, and spread out what we have received and yet in the same time as something to be fulfilled as grace in which love, joy, peace and friendship abound. Therefore, the calling to unity is not something we can remember or ignore, but it should be a must since it is Jesus's prayer as well; "that all may be one". It is there, as a dimension of being given the gift of new life in Christ. We cannot receive Christ without being included in Christ’s love, in the fellowship of the Triune God, through Christ’s prayer.
Making unity something real and experienced, for churches is a challenge. We need extra efforts, self-sacrifices, giving time and energy; and first and foremost openess (heart and mind) towards others. The unity of the church requires efforts to overcome hatred, enmity, antagonism, condemnations, and conflict. The unity we seek and which the world needs is something that must be manifested in words, actions and structures, in fulfilling duties, being open to Christ’s presence among us and being open to one another.
Doing what unity requires is a fulfilment of what we are and what we are called to be. In one of these occassions, one of the preachers brought out an expression that “doctrine divides, service unites”. This expression could be a way to criticise the lacking outcomes of theological discussions and work in the ecumenical movement. It could also be interpreted positively, as a confirmation of the enormous potential of common service, common actions, and common initiatives; as we get our focus away from ourselves, our internal differences, and to the needs of the created world in which God has placed us."
Furthermore, since unity understood as growing together, it gives us hope for a life together, a life in solidarity, a life where we can be included and strengthened, becoming able to be the fountain of love and channel of peace. Moreover, growing together can be a way to manage common challenges. I think we know that the churches in some parts of the world are facing problems and challenges. There is a need for Christian solidarity in so many ways. There is a need for a deeper understanding of what it means to grow together, and what it means to belong together, to give one another hope.
Today and tomorrow we continue in this journey with one another. As we walk together in faith, in our desire to reflect Jesus’ prayer “that all may be one” (John 17:21), we must remind one another of the importance of remaining open to new experiences, open to the words and ideas of those with whom we journey and who we encounter along the journey. We must be open to the possibility of a new recognition of Jesus Christ in our midst. Our mission today is to find ways to encourage each other to continue to be open to new experiences, new ways of acting and coming together, new ways of meeting and experiencing our common faith, new ways of sharing in God’s mission in and for the world.
