I enjoyed a very pleasant prelude to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which begins today. Yesterday I met our Board member Rev. James Somerville for lunch. The time wasn't half long enough--no time for coffee at all. But pleasant indeed.

Rev. Jim is the Chair of the Consortium's Board of Trustees' Communications Committee. Naturally he is among the people to whom I report. We did discuss business, and after that we were able to really focus on the real business of the Consortium: ecumenism.

Rev. Jim is the Pastor of First Baptist Church here in DC, and I am Roman Catholic. We had a lot to discuss regarding our differing points of view. Jim thinks, and I agree, that an important part of ecumenical dialogue is for each participant to explain the meaningful aspects of his/ her own tradition.

It was an interesting discussion, amiable and well-intentioned. I understand him better, and in retrospect I understand my college friendships, one of which was with a Baptist "Preacher's Kid," better as well. I enjoyed the chance to put into words my love for the Eucharist--the heart of my faith as a Catholic.

Next time I see Jim it will be on a new level of respect than when we met yesterday. That is already a great deal. For the rest, I ask you to join me in asking the Holy Spirit to bless and improve all our efforts for unity and cooperation in the name of the Lord Jesus.