… looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith … (Hebrews 12:2a)
There are seasons of change. We are in Autumn and around us the leaves on trees are telling the story of season change.
At last, the election is over. Prayerfully we welcome the new government as they take up their responsibilities.
Change is coming with Pope Leo XIV being elected and we also share in prayer in his shepherding of the Catholic Community.
This is also the season in the year when, between Ascension Day (29 May 2025) and Pentecost (8 June 2025), we pause to pray for the Unity of the Christian Church. Our week of prayer is directed towards us all remembering, that while our church labels communicate difference, we all share a common faith in Jesus Christ that binds us to each other. Our unity is a witness to the world.
When there is change, unity is very important. In change there is comfort and discomfort. Not all agree with the direction that change represents. We anticipate hopes being fulfilled and are realistic that there will also be disappointments. Our unity is not founded on agreement, if it was, unity would be fragile.
Our unity is in Jesus Christ. When we affirm this, we make a strong statement and echo the confidence of the writer to the Hebrews. Using the setting of an arena filled with witnesses, and the image of a race, the following is an invitation:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith … (Hebrews 12:1-2a)
In the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, together we look to Jesus, and we bring our hopes for greater unity as we live in the context of change and uncertainty. Our perspective reflects the one we look to, who is ‘the pioneer and perfecter of faith’.
Rev John Gilmore
NCCA President.