Text for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

It is with this in mind that the guiding Biblical text was chosen — John 11:17-27. The theme for the week, “Do you believe this?” (v. 26), takes its cue from the dialogue between Jesus and Martha when Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany following the death of their brother Lazarus, as narrated by the evangelist John. 

At the start of the chapter, the Gospel says that Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus (v. 5), yet when informed that Lazarus was gravely ill, Jesus declared that his illness would “not lead to death” but that the Son of God would be “glorified through it” (v. 4), and remained where He was for two days longer. 

When Jesus eventually arrived in Bethany, despite being warned of the risk of being stoned there (v. 8), Lazarus “had already been in the tomb for four days” (v. 17). Martha’s words to Jesus express her disappointment at His late arrival, perhaps containing also a note of reproach: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (v. 21). However, this exclamation is followed immediately by a profession of confidence in Jesus’ saving power: “But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of Him” (v. 22). 

When Jesus assures her that her brother would rise again (v. 23), she responds by affirming her religious belief: “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day” (v. 24). 

Jesus leads her a step further, declaring His power over life and death and revealing His identity as the Messiah. 

“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die” (vv. 25-26). 

Following this astonishing declaration, Jesus challenges Martha with a very direct and deeply personal question: “Do you believe this?” (v. 26.) Like Martha, the first generations of Christians could not remain indifferent or passive when the words of Jesus touched and searched their hearts. They earnestly sought to give a comprehensible answer to Jesus’ question, “Do you believe this?” 

The Fathers of Nicaea strove to find words that would embrace the entire mystery of the incarnation and the passion, death and resurrection of their Lord. While awaiting his return, Christians around the world are called to witness together to this faith in the resurrection, which is for them the source of hope and joy, to be shared with all peoples.

Ecumenical Celebration of the Word of God 

In this anniversary year of the Council of Nicaea, the Ecumenical Celebration of the Word of God during the Week of Prayer is centred on the meaning of believing and on the affirmation of faith, both personal and communal, both “I believe” and “We believe.”

The Biblical text from which the theme for the week is drawn, with its challenging question, “Do you believe this?”, is proclaimed in a dialogue between three readers and the assembly as part of the invitation to worship. After a brief introduction to the first Ecumenical Council, an opening prayer inspired by Clement of Rome (c. 35-99 AD) leads into the Old Testament and New Testament readings. After the sermon/homily, the dialogue between readers and assembly continues, echoing the dialogue between Jesus and Martha. The participants are invited to celebrate their common faith, by receiving a candle and sharing its flame with one another as a sign of the light of the Risen Christ. They then recite the Nicene Creed together. 

The Prayers of Intercession, based on patristic1 writings from the second to the eighth centuries, are a call to grow in faith, and to bear witness to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, together, in the world. All who are present then pray the Lord’s Prayer.