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“The One, Holy, Cath — ” wait, did you say ‘One Church’?”
Every ecumenical dialogue at some point references Jesus’ so-called “High Priestly Prayer” in John 17: 21–23:
I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the kosmos may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Our faith requires that we followers of Jesus must have unity with one another, so that we can be one with Christ, who is one with the Father. Thus we too are one with the Uncreated… and from this superlative unity the kosmos (that is, the rebellious world) can believe that Jesus Christ is from God. Even more, the kosmos including us will know (not just “believe”) that we are beloved as well, as beloved as Christ is of God.
This is the Christian Church you’re talking about, right? 40,000 of ‘em…
The churches involved in ecumenical dialogues have concluded that we share the same faith, with the same doctrines, if somewhat…
