Through JC2033, God is making us meet the other churches," said a youth leader at an evening event in an evangelical youth group in Cartagena. This is a new step for the Youth With A Mission centre. And probably for the other churches too. What does God want to tell us? »
"Listen to Jesus!" reads the sign carried by the children
The next day the group of JC2033 ambassadors, on a spiritual retreat before the gathering, attended Mass in the parish of Manga, together with young people from YWAM. Father Igniacio Madera commented on the stories of the vocation of Abraham and the transfiguration of Jesus, emphasising that it is in the measure in which we listen to the Word of God that we are transformed.
And in transforming ourselves, Jesus calls us out of our habits to be his witnesses. To illustrate this point, a group of children carried a large sign and sang what was written on it: "Escucha a Jesus"! "Listen to Jesus!
Already at Easter last year, Daniel Castro, one of the leaders of YWAM-Carthagena, visited the Catholic mass, to respond to the Easter challenge that YCW2033 launches every year. For example, to discover the celebration of another Church. In a touching video, he recounts his happy discovery. (See here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_7qwCJ0lGI )
Father Igniacio Madera with the JC2033 ambassadors from Quebec.
Why care about unity, asks Olivier Fleury? Simply because Jesus prayed for it! We need others, because we do not see everything and we cannot answer his call alone. "None of us will ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with a lot of love, and together we can do something wonderful," he says.
For any unity project, his method, based on more than 20 years of experience, is the following: Find men and women of peace, passionate people, with a network and with a great love for Jesus. On the other hand, JC2033 wants to focus on what unites, namely the person of Jesus: "JC2033 is above all about putting Jesus at the centre", he keeps saying!
The biblical scholar Maria Cristina Ventura provides a second biblical study on the theme of unity. She shows that unity as Jesus understands it is not uniformity - the "one thought" that hierarchises and excludes - but unity in diversity, which invites to enter into relationship and to create links with others. Unity in the New Testament is primarily Jesus-centred, emphasising people rather than doctrines and the importance of participation by all.
Daniel Castro, head of Youth With A Mission with Archbishop Francisco Munera of Cartagena.
Casely Essamuah, the General Secretary of the Global Christian Forum and a great friend of JC2033, has prepared a video explaining his perspective on unity. The Scriptures are full of passages that encourage us to seek unity, for it is a source of blessing. For the Apostle Paul, Christ cannot be divided; therefore those who call on the name of Christ must remain united. "It is important for our mission that we declare to the whole world that the One who unites us is far greater than any category of life that would divide us," he says.
Casely Essamuah, Secretary of the Global Christian Forum with Martin Hoegger and Olivier Fleury (JC2033)
At the end of this session, the assembly unanimously prayed the « Bimillennial Prayer for Unity »
Holy Father in heaven,
Be glorified in us,
all those you called into one body who believe
in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
We pray our lives would be a testimony
to that unity in Jesus.
Empower us to keep our Lord’s command
to love one another as He has loved us.
As we approach the bimillennial of His crucifixion and
resurrection, bless our efforts to reach a world in need,
making us channels of your loving kindness with an
out-pouring of compassion to others in your name.
We pray that you sanctify us in truth,
demonstrating our unity in the Holy Spirit
so the world may know of your love.
For this purpose,
fill us with the knowledge of you, that your wisdom
would direct our paths in humility and peace,
until we are joined as one chorus in the praise of your glory.
In Jesus Christ’ name we pray. Amen.
Martin Hoegger
