It is interesting to note that every year the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians coincides with the celebration of Dr.  Martin Luther King Jr.   When you look at the two, there is one thing in common – they are both about a cry for unity.  Although the Christian faith has different denominations, all are invited to look at ways to be united as one Body of Christ. In the same manner, the MLK holiday is a remembrance of Dr. King’s call, not only for an end to discrimination and racism, but also to recognize our equality – that all of us are God’s children, and thus, must be united.

I believe that in this week’s observations it would be helpful to reflect on the Priestly Prayer of Jesus found in the Gospel of St. John.  He says: “I pray not only for them, but also those who will believe in me through their word, 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.” Jesus is actually praying not only for the Twelve, but also those who would follow in their footsteps – all of us.  He prays for us and invites us to have that same relationship He has with His Father.  A relationship that is built in love.  A love that knows no boundaries.  A love that is so unconditional that all it can do is to generate life. 

The Church and our world are crying out for unity.  In a society that is so divided this comes to us as a great challenge.  But I have hope that we can achieve this unity if you and I put aside whatever inhibits us from seeing each other as equally made in the image and likeness of God.  In this time in our Church and in our world, Jesus joins all of humanity in continued prayer to the Father, “that they may be one.”

This year’s theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is: “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship Him” The theme highlights the importance and meaning of the epiphany to all people in revealing God’s salvation to the world and showing the unity He desires among His creation. His light beckons us, as it did the Magi, to worship Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and the one true God and to open our treasures to Him. As Christian witnesses changed by our experience of the epiphany, we choose a new path of repentance and renewal by serving the Gospel and keeping Jesus’ commandment of “loving one another as He has loved us.” The theme reminds Christians worldwide to pray for closer communion with our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as for greater solidarity with all of creation.

During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Day, may we all work together in achieving that unity with Jesus and with one another.