Christian Unity - Part 1

Christian Unity – Part 1

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

As we all know, Jesus prayed for unity among the believers at the Last Supper before He died on the Cross. Looking at all the different sects of Christianity, we humans have failed to achieve this unity. This is not the time for finger pointing or recrimination. In order to achieve the Master's goal, we must learn from Jesus. Our first step is to clean up our own Catholic house. This is the time for all practicing Catholics to begin a prayer vigil for all fallen-away Catholics. This part of Christianity is the largest group of Christians other than practicing Catholics. Some may have joined other Protestant sects while others may have just stopped the complete practice of faith.

Every Catholic has the responsibility to care for all humanity. Catholics call this the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Surely, all of us must know at least one or more persons that have fallen-away. Some of us like myself have tried to persuade our fellow brothers or sisters to attend a Mass either at Christmas or Easter so that they can feel the joy of the season. Unfortunately, that is not enough to bring our brothers and sisters back to full Communion to Jesus and the Church. Now, we must employ the great weapon of our faith for this cause. It is time for all of us to pray and pray deeply that these souls return to full practice. Can all of us say a short prayer invoking the the Holy Spirit's assistance for our cause? Can all of us say a Hail Mary so that the Mother of God and our Mother will help with this cause? Can all of us say an Act of Spiritual Communion offering the graces of that Communion for the return of fallen-away Catholics?

During His earthly life, Jesus often prayed to the Father for assistance in His mission here. We should also pray to the Father for this cause along with Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed Mother for heavenly intercession. By doing this, we are not only saving their souls, but, we are accomplishing an extra penance for ourselves to expiate the just punishment for own sins. We are a short four or five weeks away from the start of Lent. By all intents and purposes, Christmas is over, even though I was reminded by our pastor in his last sermon that Christmas does not end until the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple in February. However, the Church as decreed that this is Ordinary Time. Let us make this time anything but ordinary by praying for our brothers and sisters to return to the Church and fill Confessionals throughout the entire season of Lent. In Part 2, I will shine a light on other Christian Sects particularly the Orthodox faith.

Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe. Laus Deo. Deo Gratias. See you in Paradise.