Thought for the Week beginning 14th January, 2024

Christian Unity

The annual week of prayer for Christian unity begins on Thursday 18th January and runs until the following Thursday, the 25th, which is the feast of the conversion of St. Paul. It is an opportunity for churches to celebrate our essential unity in Christ. There may be many denominations and groups of Christians all over the world, but we all share a common faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. There are numerous different styles of worship and Christian practice, reflecting the immense diversity of humanity, and we should be thankful for this. Sadly, however, these differences have in the past led to misunderstanding and even conflict between Christians, which is why it is important to remind ourselves of that unity which we share, and to have a few days when we particularly do that and to pray for ever greater understanding, toleration and cooperation. This is especially so in a world that seems to be so deeply divided (often on religious grounds) and is also so very secular with no sense of the presence and love of God. If the many and varied  churches of the world can come together to pray then that is a profound sign of a God who cares for and is fundamentally interested in this world. That is the message of the incarnation, of God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ - the event that we celebrated at Christmas. We are now in the season of Epiphany, or the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. This manifestation is expressed in different ways today, and one of those ways is the fact that different Christian communities from diverse countries and backgrounds can come together.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been going for many years now, and each year a Christian community from a particular country leads the prayers  and meditations. This year they come from Burkina Faso  in west Africa and the theme is taken from Luke 10. 27 - "You shall love the Lord your God...and your neighbour as yourself". Jesus here takes up a theme expressed several times in the Jewish scriptures of the vital importance of loving and caring for others around us. Devotion to God involves loving our neighbour - you cannot have one without the other. This is particularly relevant in Burkina Faso which is a very poor country and has been troubled by political unrest for a long time, but the principle is the same for all of us.

There are three events taking place in Stanway to mark the week of prayer - a prayer breakfast, and Epiphany carol service and a eucharist for the conversion of St. Paul - details of which are on our website, but the important thing at this time is to pray. Pray for more visible unity amongst churches and pray for our neighbours in this needy world of ours.

Heavenly Father, you have called us in the Body of your Son Jesus Christ to continue his work of reconciliation and reveal you to the world. Forgive us the sins which tear us apart; give us the courage to overcome our fears and to seek that unity which is your gift and your will; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Rev. Tony Bushell.