Today we begin the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity. This year is significant because it marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s publication of his 95 theses in 1517. This
year’s theme, the initiative of the German Council of Churches at the request
of the World Council of Churches, is Reconciliation: The Love of Christ
Compels Us from 2 Cor 5:14-20. The challenge for the Germans was how to
celebrate this Reformation event in such a way that all its ecumenical partners
could participate. They agreed that it should be a Christusfest, a celebration of Christ, in whom God has reconciled
us to himself. The text they chose was inspired by paragraph nine of Pope
Francis’ Encyclical the Joy of the Gospel, in which the Holy Father speaks of
how “the love of Christ compels us” to spread the Gospel. How powerful that
proclamation would be if it could be made with one voice! Aware that this unity
begins first in the conversion of our own hearts, let us beg the Lord's mercy.
Meditation by Father Timothy
Meditation by Father Timothy
