Miles Baker Hunt, Day 8: Praying the final verse of the Nicene Creed, we confess our true belief in the unity to which Christ calls us as he prayed his priestly prayer of John 17: that indeed, “they will be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. I pray that they also will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me” (John 17:21 CEB). Nevertheless, we live in such a divided and divisive world. While the world embraces an “us vs. them” mentality, it so often seems the Church does, too.
Stories
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Day 7
Katy Medinas-Lockley, Day 7: On this second to last day in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we profess the Holy Spirit: the third member of the Triune God. The Nicene Creed describes the Holy Katy Medinas, Day 7: Spirit as “the giver of life.” An image comes to mind of a baby taking its first breath–what a miraculous moment! And then I think about the fact that I am breathing as I type these words.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Day 6
Roderic L. Mullen, Day 6: There is a wonderful old icon from the sixth century, still kept at Mt. Sinai. Several feet tall, as ancient icons often are, it shows Christ robed in majesty with a halo around his head and looking with interest directly at the viewer. In his left hand he holds a Bible or gospel book. His right hand is raised in a gesture of teaching or blessing. In Eastern Orthodox thought, the icon represents Christ Pantocrator, that is, “Christ, ruler of all.” He is at the same time majestic and awesome, yet benevolent and interested in our welfare. It is also clear from his gaze that he knows all about us.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Day 5
Seyun Hwang, Day 5: Have you ever recited a creed and felt that the words seemed routine rather than meaningful? That happened to me one Sunday morning. As the phrase “under Pontius Pilate” rolled off my tongue, I had to pause. Why do I often name this Roman governor in passing—this hand of imperial power that played a role in the death of Jesus? How can I miss its weight?
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Day 4
Roderic L. Mullen, Day 4: The words of the wonderful Christmas hymn, “Once in Royal David’s City,” echo in my mind as I write this meditation. What does it mean to say with the hymn, “he came down to earth from heaven?” When we picture the babe in a manger, “little, weak and helpless,” it is hard for us to believe at the same time that he is “God and Lord of all.”
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Day 3
Shawn Blackwelder, Day 3: As the Council of Nicaea sought to bring about unity in the Church, the primary obstacle was the existence of differing beliefs about the nature of Christ. Was it homoiousios, as Arius argued, that the Father and the Son were of a similar nature and essence, or was it the belief asserted by Athanasius, that it was homoousius, that the Father and Son were of the same nature and essence? This was (and in some corners of the Church, continues to be) the most controversial question.