De La Mennais Brothers: Making Jesus Christ better known and loved by young people

Some holiday thoughts on an idea that I often came back to when teaching R.E.: the origins and meaning of the words "Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah" (Hebrew).   Let’s start with a quote from the YOUCAT (youth cathechism) book and app:   ' The brief formula “Jesus is the Christ” expresses the core of the Christian faith: Jesus, the simple carpenter’s son from Nazareth, is the long-awaited Messiah and Savior. (Cath. Catechism 436-440, 453) Both the Greek word “Christos” and the Hebrew word “Messiah” mean "The Anointed One”. In Israel kings, priests, and prophets were anointed. The apostles learned that Jesus was anointed “with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 10:38).' We are called Christians after Christ, as an expression of our exalted vocation.' (Click  here  for the YOUCAT app).   For Jews, the Messiah is one who would be chosen and anointed by God and would come to our world to save ...

At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (John 17.21). Christians come together to pray for their unity during the annual Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity (in January). Congregations and parishes of the different Christian denominations all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. Prayer for Christian Unity: Lord Jesus, you said that everyone will know that we are your disciples if there is love among us. Strengthened by your grace, may we work tirelessly for the visible unity of your Church, so that the Good News that we are called to proclaim will be seen in all our words and deeds. Amen. Here's a modern (and rather fun) take on the old Christian Unity hymn “We Are One In The Spirit”. It was the first hymn I ever sang solo in public at a Salvation Army Christian Unity event my sister took me to when I was in short pants a lon...