“After two weeks adrift, 276 shipwrecked people finally reached the shores of a Mediterranean island. They were soaking wet, exhausted, and terrified. In their near brush with death, they had experienced their powerlessness against the forces of nature. Among them was a prisoner heading toward Rome to undergo the judgment of the emperor.
“This isn’t one of today’s news stories. It happened to St. Paul the Apostle, who was being taken to Rome, where he would crown his mission as an evangelizer through the witness of martyrdom.
“Acts 28:2 describes how he was sustained by his unshakable faith in divine providence. Despite being a prisoner himself, he managed to support and encourage all his companions in their misfortune until they ran aground on a beach in Malta. The people of the island welcomed them and lit a huge bonfire so they could gather around it and warm themselves. The islanders then looked after them during the winter for about three months, after which they gave them all they needed to continue their journey safely” – Letizia Magri, Focolare centre for the family.
“They showed us unusual kindness.” This verse from the Acts of the Apostles is the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2020. It sounds, first of all, like a strong, special, further call for us to be faithful to the word of God, which always inspires us to open our hearts toward our neighbours.
Then, as we all know, the more deeply that Christians from various denominations live the Gospel, the more they will draw close to one another, because in this way they will become more like Christ.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a special occasion for us to reflect on our call to bring his light to this world – to pray for it together and to launch ourselves forward toward the prayer of Jesus to his Father, “That they all may be one … that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (Jn 17:21).
We are not alone! Over the years, and especially since the Second Vatican Council, dialogue and unity among Christians have grown. But we still have a long path in front of us.
Let’s sail it with courage and determination!
Evangelical, reciprocal love – if acted upon – has an effect: it ensures the presence of Jesus among Christians united in his name (Mt 18:20).
And for what more could we ask? Who else but Jesus has the power to offer peace and light to a society crying out for answers?
To learn more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2020, visit weekofprayer.ca.
To find out more about prayer services in the Archdiocese of Vancouver area, visit rcav.org/christian-unity or contact me at [email protected] or 604-683-0821 ext. 50232.
Maria Isabel Rocha is coordinator of ecumenical and interfaith relations for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.