During this special Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we recall the prayer of Jesus, “That they all may be one.” (John 17:21)
The theme for the 2021 week of prayer for Christian unity is, "Abide in my love ... You shall bear much fruit," from the Gospel of John, Chapter 15. We fulfill our common Christian call in our love for Christ and for one another. In serving those most in need, all Christians bear fruit for Christ. By our common baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we are compelled to bring the light of Christ into a world that is filled with darkness. Let us never shirk that responsibility; rather, may we strengthen each other in our witness to God’s love for our world.
And when it comes to unity with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, Pope Francis reminds us that tenderness and kindness are not virtues of the weak but rather a sign of strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, compassion and genuine openness to others. Let us be strong in our common Christian faith and work diligently for the day when the Lord’s Prayer for our complete unity with him will be answered by all of us.