On January 18th, the Octave for Prayer for Christian Unity will kick off. This year's theme That they become one in your hand has been taken from the Prophet Ezekiel and preapared taking as inspiration the current religious state in Korea. Prophet Ezekiel lived in a divided country and likewise the Korean region endures diverse sorts of conflicts. However even on an ecclesial level, divisions are prooving counter-productive; they hinder the proclamation of the Gospel to the world as the Church in itself is divided.

For more than hundred years, Christian worldwide have taken the commitment to prayer for the Unity of the Christians for eight days. In the Northern Hemisphere this is done between Jan 18 - Jan 25 so as to include the feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul. This year's theme compels us to meditate on the fact that unity will be only given by God. In Ezekiel chapter 37, the source of inspiration of this year's theme, the Prophet sees the two sticks, representing the two divisions of the Jewish people, uniting once again. However the people must convert, change their lifestyles in accordance to the word of the Lord and re-open their hearts for him. Still, it is clear from this passage that it is the Lord who purifies and re-unifies. This is fundamental for a true ecumenism. As noted by Cardinal Walter Kasper, head of the Vatican office for ecumenism, trued dialogue doesn't consist in foresaking the treasured beliefs but rather re-discovering them, and translating them in a concrete way of living which will ultimately bring towards a greater understanding between the churches. Hence, what is needed is a greater degree of witness. The Cardinal also notices that ecumenism doesn't mean uniformity of faith but unity in faith, sacraments and apostolic ministry.

Follows a list of the daily themes of the octave:

Jan. 18: Christian communities face to face with old and new divisions.

Jan. 19: Christians face to face with war and violence.

Jan. 20: Christians face to face with economic injustice and poverty.
Jan. 21: Christians face to face with ecological crisis.

Jan. 22: Christians face to face with discrimination and social prejudice.

Jan. 23: Christians face to face with disease and suffering.
Jan. 24: Christians face to face with a plurality of religions.

Jan. 25: Christian proclamation of hope in a world of separation.

the whole text can be downloaded from the Vatican's official website: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/weeks-prayer-doc/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_20080630_week-prayer-2009_en.html