Johann Hurst
Grade 9
Christian Unity can be traced back to the days of the early church. We see that Jesus did not write, rather, he set up the teaching office of the Church (the Magisterium) headed by Peter and in doing so, we see the foundation of Christian unity.
So what happened? Between the Lutherans on the one end and the Calvinists on the other, there are over 30,000 churches! It must concern everyone of the faith to unite as one body for when our Lord comes again to marry his church, he will look for one bride not a harem!
The key to Christian unity therefore lies in inner conversion. We must strive to live holy lives. To love as Jesus loved.
Fact is that protestant breakaway from the Catholic Church has lead to further fractioning whereas the catholic church has consistently been dependent on the deposit of faith being both sacred scripture and sacred tradition passed on by apostolic succession. What then can we do to rectify this situation? Blessed John Paul II’s encyclical Ut unum sint (That They May Be One), said that working for the visible reunification of the church is as much a necessary part of the full gospel as is the “social gospel”, which is working for peace and justice in the world. Knowing that there are weeds in the church and outside of it, and also that there is our adversary who never sleeps, we must know too, that Christ follows his plan for us who are all sinners and that without God’s grace we are hopeless. St Paul says, “I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” Christ came to us not to be served but to serve and this is exactly what we must do. Paul again in I Cor 1:10-13 pleads that there be no dissensions and that all be united in the same mind and same judgments. If we boast says Paul, “it should be of the Lord”. 1 Cor 1:31.
The key to Christian unity therefore lies in inner conversion. We must strive to live holy lives. To love as Jesus loved. Our separated brothers and sisters will do well to dig-in to church history. For to look deep into history will reveal truths held since the first century which are questioned in the middle ages! Catholics should be prepared to defend their belief in the spirit of 1 Peter 3:15 and be “always prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you with gentleness and respect.” Catholics should be open to dialogue (with love) and to understand why our separated brothers and sisters are where they are. Catholics can look to the good in other customs and beliefs without compromising on their own dogmas.
Finally, we must have confidence in our Lords’ prayer for us: that we “may be ONE”. John 17:21
Well done! I agree Johan. I especially like how you accept the other views of different religious sects and reinforce the fact that we should be open to communication with others, regardless of their beliefs.
Often times, society is too quick to judge others and make assumptions about different religious beliefs. As Catholics, we must love as Jesus loves and appreciate other customs without compromising our own– well said! Being open to dialogue encourages us to challenge our faith and unite closer with our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Moreover, reading the Bible and scripture helps us as Catholics to embrace each other’s exceptionalities and differences. Through prayer and scripture we can use these life lessons and incorporate them in our daily lives. Like you said, “we must strive to lead holy lives!”