To the editor:
We celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18 to 25.
In John 17:21 Jesus prays for unity among his followers, “Father, I pray 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.”
Unity into one church is only possible through conversion, prayer, and grace. However as churches work for unity, they can cooperate in values they share such as helping the poor, working for justice, prayer, and more.
As we Catholics work for unity with other churches, we also need to pray and work for deeper conversion within the Catholic Church. In the Decree on Ecumenism it says, “The primary duty (of Catholics) is to make a careful and honest appraisal of whatever needs to be done or renewed in the Catholic household itself, in order that its life may bear witness more clearly and faithfully to the teachings and institutions which have come to it from Christ through the Apostles.”
In John 13:35, Jesus said, “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Amen.
Fr. Don Lange, Hazel Green