There are some coincidences in time that are attention getters. This year, we have one such: Christian Lent begins the same day as Islam’s Ramadan.

As we approach the Christmas season, we do so with so many Christians throughout the world. What we celebrate during Christmas is a reminder of our unity in Christ. And yet, we are not united in communion—that oneness which Jesus mandated for us in John 17:20-21.

“[We need to take up] seeing and feeling with God.” What a startling sentence—to see and feel with God! I heard this a couple of weeks ago at a symposium titled “Deepening Communion in a Polarized World.” Hundreds of folks—clergy, lay and seminarians—were invited to ponder it.

“Nostra Aetate” is 60 years old! So what? “In our time … .” Those are the opening words of this “Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions” of the Second Vatican Council. It was promulgated on Oct. 28, 1965, by Pope Paul VI.

Last month, we focused upon polarization and polarized thinking. As promised, this month we are focusing upon teachings of the Church: no salvation outside the Church, and the necessity of baptism.

Polarization. We live in a vast pool of it. We are drained of creative, life-giving energy by the creatures within this pool: “them vs. us” and “either/or.”

As I write this, the conclave to elect a new pope has commenced. This is the eighth conclave of my lifetime; the first was 1958. In succession, they included: the deaths of Popes Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, and the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. And now, Pope Francis’ death.

We have come to the end of Lent. We are now in the Easter triduum (the great three days). The triduum concludes with the celebration of Easter, when we can say or sing “Alleluia!”

“The Catholic Church is open to accepting the date [for Easter] that everyone wants: a date of unity.” Pope Francis said this during an ecumenical prayer service on Jan. 25 at Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls at the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

“The Catholic Church is open to accepting the date [for Easter] that everyone wants: a date of unity.” Pope Francis said this during an ecumenical prayer service on Jan. 25 at Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls at the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

From time to time—and mostly in face-to-face encounters—I receive thanks for these monthly columns. Often, these thanks are accompanied by: “I look forward each month to your column.” Or “I find the content inviting me to explore another religion.” Or “many of the columns remind me how important it is to find a sense of oneness in our divided world.”

“Pilgrims of Hope.” In his documents about the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis names all believers as pilgrims. He urges that believers be about prayer, pilgrimage and renewal.