Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Two days ago, on Tuesday of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an Ecumenical Service was held at St Nicholas Church, near the World Trade Center organized by the Greek Archdiocese, with the participation of the metropolitan area church leaders and the faithful.
The Gospel reading designated on this occasion was from Matthew 25.31-46. Our Lord provides us with the simplest pragmatic instruction to be His true followers by saying: “I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you gave me clothing; I was in prison, and you visited me.” And then the Lord confirms: “Just as you have done it for one of the least of these who are members of my family, you have done so for me.”
While a Bishop was reading this passage, a new dimension of understanding illuminated my mind. In general, we define Church Unity in terms of Administration, Confession, mutual respect, etc. Most of the time, we explore ways and means to justify our status as more authentic than other churches. By listening to the Word of Jesus within this Ecumenical prayer context, I came to realize that as the members of the same Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we commit our love and faithfulness toward our Lord in the actions which He instructs, then our dream of Oneness becomes true.
The more that we look through the perspective of our Lord for the fulfillment of all good things, the more we are in true and effective in the line of faithful Discipleship.
Therefore, let us unceasingly pray “Thy will be done,” for the advantage of Mankind and for the Glory of the Most High our Heavenly Father.