Archbishop Reflects on Jesus’ Pierced Side During Worship Service
January23,2025
Archbishop Reflects on Jesus’ Pierced Side During Ecumenical Worship Service
written by Deacon John Robbins DUBUQUE, Iowa (Archdiocese of Dubuque) – Ministers from various local churches gathered in Loehe Chapel on the campus of Wartburg Theological Seminary (WTS) to lead an ecumenical service celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU). An annual observance, WPCU has a history spanning over 100 years, during which Christians around the world have participated in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. By annually observing the WPCU, Christians move toward the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper: "That they all may be one" (cf. John 17:21).1
The service included welcoming remarks from Rev. Dr. Kristin Johnston Largen, President of WTS; brief historical and scriptural reflections from local ministers; hymns; the chanting of Psalm 131; a Gospel reading and corresponding reflection from Archbishop Thomas Zinkula; the recitation of the Nicene Creed; intercessions; and the Lord's Prayer.
The service was led by Deacon Brian Zeman of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, who later reflected on the experience and his hope for continued partnerships:
“Participating in the worship service helped remind me of the commonalities we have with our brothers and sisters in Christ. In an ever more secularized society I feel it is important we reach out to our fellow followers of Christ, so together we can proclaim God’s love to those who need it. I hope we are able to foster and grow this valuable collaboration.”
Archdiocesan Chancellor Dr. Janine Idziak assisted in lighting candles for the assembly, an act symbolizing the common faith of baptized Christians, who are called to be the light of the world—a light received from Christ through one another. After the event, Dr. Idziak commented on the desired outcome of recent ecumenical experiences:
"The Archdiocese of Dubuque has co-sponsored several conferences and worship services with Wartburg Theological Seminary. These have been gratifying, Spirit-filled events. Our challenge now is to broaden the scope of our ecumenical initiatives and move ecumenical work out into parish life."
Archbishop Zinkula read John 20:24–29 (the risen Lord's appearance to Thomas) and offered a reflection on Jesus' pierced side. Referring to disputes, schisms, and Church councils in antiquity as acts that either reopen or heal Christ's wounded side, the archbishop appealed for greater ecumenical accompaniment, saying:
"The only way to heal deep wounds is to acknowledge them, to see them, to name them, to touch them as Thomas did; to treat them. In order to heal the wounds of a divided Church, separated Christians have to have the courage to be open to conversion and repentance, and the humility to foster reconciliation and communion."
Archbishop Zinkula offered a joint path forward, saying:
"This healing requires formal, high-level ecumenical dialogue, like the one that led to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, which we celebrated here last year on its twenty-fifth anniversary. This healing requires ecumenical worship, Bible study, social events, service to the poor, and joint events like this one during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity."
The archbishop ended his reflection by articulating our collective woundedness and need for the Savior, teaching:
"Thomas found God by seeing and touching Jesus’ wounded side. True faith actually is a wounded faith; a faith that fails to encounter darkness and doubt really is no faith at all. Picking up on the Jubilee 2025 theme, may we be 'Pilgrims of Hope,' trusting that God will squeeze grace out of the disunity of the Christian Church. Paraphrasing a passage from Isaiah 53 slightly: 'He was pierced for our sins, crushed for our disunity. He bore the punishment that makes us whole; by his wounds, we were healed.' So, in our disunity, in the woundedness of the Body of Christ, may we find God. Together, may we encounter Christ there."