Promoting Christian Unity

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"

John 14:1-6

by Tom Christoffer

At a recent Confirmation retreat I heard the presenter use the term "Catholic Christians" to the group. A week later I heard "Catholic Christian" again in a homily. Then, in a RENEW group I caught myself using the phrase "Catholic Christian" to describe myself! What’s up with that!

I believe it has a lot to do with our theme for the January’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life" from John’s gospel reminds Christians (Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian) that we are all called to follow Jesus. He is the Way, Truth, and Life for all Christians.

Just before his statement of identity, Jesus is asked the question by Thomas "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" What a relief to know that this question is answered for us already! What we are called to do in response is to love one another whether we are Catholic Christians, Lutheran Christians, or Baptist Christians.

As we enter the real new millennium in 2001 (or is it?) let us look forward to celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18-25 in some way with our sister and brother Christians in a worship of Jesus being "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" for all of us!

An ecumenically blessed Advent, Christmas Season and New Year to you all from the Ecumenical Committee!

Tom Christoffer is Ecumenical Officer of the Diocese of New Ulm and is Pastoral Administrator at

St. Paul, Comfrey