Church Calendar: The Octave of Christian Unity

“The Gospel Changes Everything”

It’s one of my favorite mugs, intentionally placed front and center.

I’ve found a lot of Christian phrases plastered on home decor or apparel to be, well, pretty theologically diluted but this one rings deeply true for me.

It’s the mug I reach for when I have new guests over, when my midwife would come for checkups, or when I want to curl up on the couch with a warm drink.

Evangelism doesn’t have to be flashy. It’s meant to be woven into the fabric of our daily rhythms of life. I’ve always been taught evangelism was a work, but I’ve found it to be more of a rest. A faithful commitment to living the life you have, by the Spirit. This sort of quiet devotion speaks volumes that words cannot.

Speaking of weaving, you will also notice the paper hearts hanging from the hutch. My daughter and I wove them out of paper during the Octave of Christian Unity. This is an ecumenical celebration observed by Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox churches around the world. It’s a week set aside to pray for unity among the global church.

“Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine, and I am glorified in them. I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one…” (Jesus prays for His disciples, John 17:10-11, but read the whole chapter! tears)

The issue of Christian unity (or lacktherof) is what sparked all of this for me.

All of this searching, questioning, wrestling.

I could not reconcile contempt towards Catholics and other denominations and doctrines with being a follower of Jesus. I have come to understand why the divides and strife exist but I am still not able to endorse it.

We are more alike than we are different.

We are stronger together.

We can be a better witness to the world if we all practiced walking by the Spirit and reasoning through holy scripture and sacred tradition together.

There are many, many humble followers of Jesus seeking to to this very thing. They stand throughout all of history, giving us an example and leaving a legacy of unity we can build on, and imitate.

Church history is not shrouded. It is there for anyone to study.

These historical church fathers and mothers, or modern day brothers and sisters of the faith often fly under the radar, as is the nature of humility, but I have found so many men and women seeking to honor the simple, good gospel, witness effectively, and reason together through the complexities of second and third tier issues. Some are on the frontlines, others are in the back. Both can be beautiful.

As I look at these hearts, I reflect on how paper isn’t very strong on its own, but when braided together it creates a basket that is strong enough to hold things! If we believe what John 17 is talking about, we’d believe that God’s word and spirit are freely ours through Christ. Together, we hold this treasure within us with the charge to share it with the world.

Make my heart like these colorful, woven baskets,

Lord! Full of your spirit and truth, eager to share the hope I have with all. Green and white are the traditional colors of Epiphany, symbolizing growth, new life, purity, and celebration! Let these virtues be my heart’s desire, Jesus! Amen!

(A few scriptures for deeper reflection)

John 17

1 Corinthians 12 & 13

Ephesians 4

Colossians 3

Psalm 133

John 13

Song Suggestion: Listen to "Unity" by For King And Country