Christian unity would be the main achievement of showing the world and all cultures that the message of Christ is centered on achieving fullness of life, that is, to live with quality and to be peoples who only seek the full realization of persons together with all creation.
However, some hierarchies, leaders, and Christian peoples have shown division, insensitivity, and lack of solidarity for many years. Unfortunately, it has been more important to take care of doctrine and laws than what is most sacred to our God: the life of every human being and all creatures.
In this spirit of seeking unity, “with the beginning of the new year, the traditional Week of Prayer for Christian Unity challenges us once again, holding up as a mirror before our eyes the lack of unity that afflicts us, thus diminishing the meaning of our presence in the world. The advance of the de-Christianization of Europe troubles the conscience of the Churches” Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. January 2022.
The theme of this day of Christian unity is expressed as follows: “According to the Gospel of Matthew (2:1-12), the appearance of the star in the Judean sky is a sign of the hope that the people had long-awaited. It is the sign that led the Magi and all the peoples of the earth to the place of the manifestation of the true King and Savior. This star is a gift, a sign of the presence of God’s love for all humanity. For the Magi, it was the sign that a king had been born. With its radiance, it guides humanity towards a more intense light, the new light of Jesus, which enlightens every person and introduces us to the glory of the Father and his radiant splendor.” Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. January 2022.
The Christian proposal, inspired by Jesus in the Gospels, always transcends the historical and cultural moments that the Catholic religious authorities live; the Spirit of Jesus makes everything move, that the ecclesial and social reality is renewed in his liberating and salvific spirit that gives abundant life to men and women alike.
The Christian churches are concerned about unity because it is the possibility of building just societies and churches, where equity and solidarity reign; therefore, the churches are worried that “In this region of the world where human rights are routinely trampled by unjust political and economic interests, affected by the current unprecedented international health crisis and suffering from the material and human losses as a result of the severe explosion that devastated Beirut on August 4, 2020” World Council of Churches.
The ecclesial division, inequality, and social inequity generated by the hegemonic neoliberal system continue to create marginalized and discarded victims; among these victims and discarded are forced to migrate because of injustice, hunger, persecution, and institutional violence and impoverishment (unemployment). The thousands of people forced to migrate carry a light of hope that guides them along the roads, and that force of hope makes them walk on paths with high risk and where cruel death lurks. The same star guided the Magi that today shows so many migrants. Every house of refuge, every dining room, the shelters, and the teams that accompany migrants on their journeys are that star that shines with its light, giving hope and encouragement on these roads of darkness.
We invite you to learn more about this week that motivates us to pray for Christian unity. The strength of solidarity for the poorest continues to be the center that moves the people’s actions as an example for the encounter, especially with the migrant Jesus.