In early December, I had the opportunity to give a reflection at the annual conference of leadership from Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Methodist (LARCUM) Churches in Virginia.
Since 2006, our diocese and the Diocese of Arlington have had a covenant agreement with these denominations as we continue to discern ways in which we may make real Jesus’ instruction at the Last Supper: “… so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me” (Jn 17:21).
Our LARCUM covenant’s references to that passage and to Ephesians 4:4-6, that we are “one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all,” bear witness that union with God through Jesus Christ is the desired destination of our journey.
My reflection focused upon Matthew 2:1-12, the Gospel we heard on Jan. 2, the Epiphany of the Lord. The second verse of that reading — “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him” — is the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25.
Just as the Magi accompanied each other in their search for our Savior, so do we of different faith traditions walk together toward the Lord. Through LARCUM, we pray together and affirm our desire as Christians to seek ways to better express unity with one another.
That unity is important because our culture is fraught with division, especially in politics, economics and education. The concern that individuals, organizations and demographic groups are moving further apart instead of growing closer together is a valid one. Some might disagree, but one need only look at what is happening each day in our country.
More than ever, it is important for Christians of all faith traditions to make a commitment of listening to one another and accompanying one another. In a nation where polarization has almost become a way of life, our efforts to seek Christian unity appear countercultural. As Simeon, after blessing the Holy Family in the temple, said to our Blessed Mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted…” (Lk 2:34).
The actions of the Magi reveal that they believed Jesus to be the fulfillment of their hopes, and therefore, their journey was oriented to finding him. Although they sought Jesus as the destination of their journey, not all was revealed to them. They learned, as we learn, that making the journey of following him requires trust in God amid all that is unknown.
That the Magi made this journey together rather than each king travelling on his own is significant. It serves as a model for us in our quest for Church unity. Just as Pope Francis has invited Catholics to engage in synodality (synod is a Greek word that literally means “on the same path”), that same practice applies in seeking the unity of Christians.
In 1964, the fathers of the Second Vatican Council issued their Decree on Ecumenism. As Pope Francis did nearly 57 years later, they emphasized our call to walk together toward God:
“Before the whole world let all Christians confess their faith in the triune God, one and three in the incarnate Son of God, our Redeemer and Lord. United in their efforts, and with mutual respect, let them bear witness to our common hope which does not play us false.
“In these days when cooperation in social matters is so widespread, all men without exception are called to work together, with much greater reason all those who believe in God, but most of all, all Christians in that they bear the name of Christ” (12).
Near the end of the prayer for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we are invited to pray, “Help your Church, merciful One, to be a light for unity within itself and a beacon of hope for all humanity.”
May those words be our guide as we join with others, open and ready to seek ways for appropriate unity in the truth centered on Christ.