From Gentiles to One Body: A Journey Toward Christian Unity

For 42 years, I’ve called myself Catholic. I’ve heard the word “Gentiles” countless times in Scripture—at Mass, in Bible verses, in catechism. But it’s only now, after all these years, that the lightbulb finally clicked on: I understand who the Gentiles really were. And more than that—I see how their story is our story.

The Gentiles weren’t just people living in far-off lands. They were outsiders. They were people who worshipped other gods, who came from cultures steeped in idolatry, who had no knowledge of the Law of Moses or the covenant of Israel. And yet… these were the very people Jesus came to save.

When I read Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, Thessalonians, Ephesians, Galatians—it hits me: these were mostly Gentile converts. They were welcomed into the early Church not because they had perfect doctrine or long histories of faithfulness, but because they heard the Gospel, believed in Jesus, and received the Holy Spirit.

Isn’t that amazing?

As a Catholic today, I find myself reflecting on this in a new way. The early Jewish Christians had to open their hearts to the Gentiles. It stretched them. It challenged their traditions. And yet, it fulfilled Christ’s mission: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Without that bold openness, where would we be?

And so now I wonder—how should I, a Catholic today, view my fellow Christians outside the Catholic Church?

We live in a world of division: Protestants, Evangelicals, Orthodox, Catholic. But if Christ broke down the walls between Jew and Gentile to make one body (Ephesians 2:14-16), can we not also believe He desires unity among all who call on His name?

This is the heart of ecumenism—not pretending we don’t have differences, but also not letting those differences become walls that keep us from loving, listening, and journeying together. As Vatican II taught, all baptized Christians are in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. They are our brothers and sisters.

And just like the apostles didn’t force Gentiles to become Jews first, perhaps we too are called to meet others where they are, to share Christ’s love first and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

I’m excited to dive into this more deeply. I just received my copy of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, and alongside it, I’ll be reading through The Illustrated Bible Story by Story—because I want to see both the depth of Catholic teaching and the beauty of the biblical narrative unfolding before my eyes.

May this be a season of discovery—for me and for all of us—so that we, like the Gentiles of old, may be grafted into the one true Vine, and help bring others into the unity that Jesus prayed for:

“That they may all be one… so that the world may believe.” (John 17:21)

St. Paul - Apostles to the Gentiles