From January 18 - 25, our Catholic Church and Churches throughout the world join together in the Week for Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for 2022 was selected by the Middle East Council of Churches and originates from the churches in Lebanon. Present times in the Middle East and in particular in the country of Lebanon are extremely difficult and economically disastrous. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have made the situation quite stressful for many people in Lebanon, in the Middle East and throughout the world. The power of prayer in solidarity with those who suffer is a demonstration of Christian unity and a sign of communion.
As I thought about how the theme this year originated in Lebanon, I thought of the many members of the faithful from the Diocese of Jackson whose ancestors immigrated from Lebanon. That heritage is an important part of our Diocese to this day.
The theme, taken from the second chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew, is the Epiphany. Each year in January, right after Christmas, the Church recalls the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem, highlighting God’s invitation to all of humanity to a new covenant in the Incarnation of Christ. In the Eastern Churches, Epiphany is joined to the mystery of the Baptism of Christ, a baptism all Christians hold in common as testimony to their faith in the Son of God.
Matthew’s Gospel states that the Magi saw the star in the east and that they came to worship the Christ child. Today, more than ever, the Middle East needs a heavenly light to accompany its people. The star of Bethlehem is a sign that God walks with his people, feels their pain, hears their cries, and shows them compassion. It reassures us that though circumstances change and terrible disasters may happen, God’s faithfulness is unfailing. The Lord neither slumbers nor sleeps. He walks beside his people and brings them back when they are lost or in danger. The journey of faith is this walking with God who always watches over his people and who guides us in the complex paths of history and life.
We pray for people of good will throughout the world in this Week of for Prayer for Christian Unity. We pray that one day all Christian Churches may be united as the one Body of Christ. We pray for our Church in our Catholic Diocese of Jackson and for the unity amongst all Christians.
Have a blessed week everyone - Father Lincoln.
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