In a homily, Lismore Bishop Greg Homeming spoke of poet and shoemaker Hans Sachs, who featured in Richard Wagner\u2019s 1868 opera\u00a0Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that, at a certain point, Hans Sachs has a monologue, an extraordinary aria, which he sings alone \u2026 \u2018madness, madness, everywhere there is madness,\u2019 \u201d Homeming said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are at a time in the world where we could all say with him, \u2018madness, madness.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to look very far. It is everywhere. Anyone who can think \u2018I can make peace by bombing people until they\u2019re totally obliterated\u2019 \u2013\u00a0that is absolute madness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Homeming said we are called to live in such a way that \u201cmadness gives way to light.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are called to experience the darkness and in that darkness be light,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what does that mean for us?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe gather together this evening because we all have one thing in common \u2013 we have Jesus Christ and he\u2019s the light that has come into the darkness.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think at this time more than ever this is something which we must take to heart because in the midst of a world full of madness there are only two possibilities given to us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first is we must look to God, and for us that means look to Jesus Christ to walk with him and stand with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the other thing which madness calls forth through us is love. Two things: God and love.\u201d<\/p>\n
About the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity<\/p>\n
Churches and Christians in the southern hemisphere are invited to observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from 17-24 May.<\/p>\n
The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for 2026 comes from Apostle Paul\u2019s letter to the Ephesians: \u201cThere is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling\u201d (Eph. 4:4).\u00a0<\/p>\n
For the year 2026, the prayers and reflections for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity were prepared by the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. The resources are jointly published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 2026 resources are available online in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Arabic. Enabling millions of Christians around the world to join the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the resources are available also on the Bible App by YouVersion, offering a daily Bible reading plan, prayers, and questions for reflection.<\/p>\n
Churches in southern hemisphere will celebrate Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WCC news release, 13 May 2026)<\/a><\/p>\n Learn more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026<\/a><\/p>\n