So Many Churches
Imagine that you are not a Christian. You are driving through the streets in a big city, and you can't help but notice that as you travel on, you see so many different Christian churches. In some places, you see two churches almost side by side, both professing belief in Jesus, but separated from one another by their own beliefs and practices. You decide to do a little bit of research into the different Christian Churches.

You soon discover that for many hundreds of years these divisions have existed. In fact, many of these divisions caused great harm to many people. When you learn about this fact, you find yourself wondering how Christians could have treated each other in such a cruel manner. You tell yourself that you don't need that kind of religion.

But, being a fair person, you continue your study and you are happy to discover that in the last several years, there has been a great push for cooperation among the churches. You read about how many of them are working together to help the poor and the suffering of this world. As you study this cooperation in more detail, you come away with a more hopeful picture of what these Christian churches are all about.

A Source of Scandal
We have to be honest and admit that the fact that the Christian church has been divided into many different denominations is still a source of scandal for many people. They just can't understand why a religion that teaches love and unity seems at times to be so divided and not very loving. You and I should also be scandalized by the fact that, as Christians, we are still so divided. But we also have to move beyond that feeling of deep disappointment and work towards full Christian unity among all those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Christian Unity
We are near the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Much of the world celebrates this week each year in the latter part of January. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was initiated in 1908 by the Rev. Paul Wattson, co-founder of the Society of the Atonement. Its observance has changed over the years, in accordance with developments in the ecumenical movement, but its purpose remains the same: prayer for unity among all Christians throughout the world.

The theme and text for each year's observance of the Week of Prayer are chosen and prepared by representatives of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and representatives of the World Council of Churches. This year's theme is: Christ, the one foundation of the Church, and is based on 1 Corinthians 3: 1-23. Our second reading for today, which comes from the first chapter, contains some of the ideas that Paul then develops in his third chapter.

Christ: The One Foundation
No matter which Christian Church we belong to, Jesus Christ is our one foundation. "The unity we share in Christ is greater than all the differences, past and present, which divide the churches today." (Cardinal Walter Kasper). This means that we can all work together from a common starting point towards a goal, which is the unity of all followers in Christ. We have to show the world that we can build bridges between ourselves.

So many peoples today are at war with one another. They need to see that differences can be overcome, that people can join together and live in peace with one another. We have the task of healing old wounds and bringing a new respect to each other. As we do this, our witness to Jesus, as our one foundation, will surely bring hope to other peoples also.

I'm sure that many of us think that trying to unite all of the Christian churches might seem like a crazy project. “Yet at the heart of a divided world, torn apart by War and violence, the search for peace and reconciliation remains the only wisdom" (Cardinal Kasper),

Prayer for Forgiveness
Allow me to finish these reflections with a prayer taken from one of the worship services created for this week:

Almighty Lord, no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid. That foundation is Jesus Christ. We admit that we have not been able to finish building on this foundation in such a way that we may become the dwelling place of God. We have sometimes even been the cause of its ruin. Even if our work should be lost, save us, Lord and give us a fresh chance to work for unity. Create in us an ardent longing for the unity of your church and enable us to work towards it. Amen.