In the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we seek to stir an awareness of being one community, and to being alert to its needs and dangers . . . "seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by unhappy divisions" between individuals or groups. In our prayers we do well to try to understand that other people's upbringing or background is as real to them as ours is to us.
Recently at his diocesan synod Bishop Michael Mayes (Kilmore) referred to the way community life moulds our outlook: "People are inevitably influenced by the culture in which they find themselves. That influence is so strong that it forms part of one's self identity. It is not easy to detect its extent unless one has had the experience of being immersed in a culture other than one's own for a considerable period of time. I have the experience of being immersed in three very different cultures . . . Northern Ireland, where I was born and brought up; Japan, where I spent almost seven years at a very significant and formative period of my life, and then in the far south of Ireland for 17 years in Cork. Had I not had that experience, I would never have been aware of the extent to which one's cultural upbringing forms part of the very air one breathes, the spectacles through which the whole of life is viewed."
On the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul (January 25th) we have a dramatic account of his change from being a persecutor of the church to becoming its enthusiastic supporter in St Paul we have an instance of the way one's community, upbringing, and culture mould character and outlook: "I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion". Increasingly influenced by the" strict teaching in his early life it produced in him a fanatical zeal and intransigence. "He breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord." He was bubbling over with confidence based on his keen awareness of race, culture, and background.
As we pray for Christian unity among "all people that on earth do dwell" we express confidence in the Almighty Overseer of all worlds, nations, and people. He it was who stepped into St Paul's life on the Damascus Road. He went into Damascus a changed man. He who had intended to enter it like an avenging fury was led by the hand, blind and helpless.
In the week of prayer for Christian unity it is healthy to reflect on the witness of the little community of believers at Damascus. They were not deterred in knowing that St Paul was a proven persecutor. Rather than reject or condemn him they encouraged him. It worked mightily. He became an outstanding influence in building the worldwide church.
St Paul says to all communities: "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God remould your minds from within."