Christians United

Tragedies, it seems, have a way of uniting us.  Like most of you, I’ll never forget the tragedy of 9/11.  The community of St. Thomas Aquinas gathered that night for an impromptu liturgy.  The church was packed.  At least half of those in attendance were Hispanic, the other half Anglo.  Yet, we were united in spirit and in sorrow, confusion and pain.   The recent shootings in Tucson are another example of how tragedies can unite and sometimes divide.  One woman who had just visited the makeshift shrine at the site of the shootings summed it up nicely when she said, “We’re really more alike than we think.”

This is the week that the Church asks us to pray for the Unity of Christians.   Despite our differences, all Christians  have gathered around the tragedy (and triumph) of the cross of Jesus Christ for centuries.   Though our worship takes on different expressions, we also share much in common:

• We believe in the Triune God.
• We share a common baptism.  That is, our belief about and our liturgy for baptism is simliar and so we recognize and affirm most other Christian Baptisms.

•  With many, we share a common creed.
•  With many, we share a common lectionary and so often the Scripture readings proclaimed in our church on Sundays are the same Scripture readings proclaimed in other Christian Churches.
• The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults reserves the use of the word “convert” to Catechumens (the unbaptized) who are coming from no belief to belief in Jesus.

Those baptized in other Christian faiths are considered already converted.  

• We have a whole Mass dedicated to praying for the Unity of Christians.
• We work side by side with Christians of other faith denominations in outreach efforts

with organizations like:  Habitat for Humanity, Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless, North Fulton Community

Charities and others.

Much has been done to foster unity in the past several decades, but much more is needed to reach the fullness of unity called for by Jesus. 

O Lord, help us to be instruments of unity, that all may be truly be one in you.  AMEN.