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| CELEBRAZIONE DEI
VESPRI A CONCLUSIONE DELLA SETTIMANA DI PREGHIERA PER L'UNITÀ
DEI CRISTIANI, 25.01.2003 |
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1. "We have this treasure in earthen
vessels" (2 Cor 4:7).
These words, taken from the Second Letter to the Corinthians, have
been the guiding theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
which concludes today. They shed light on our meditation during
this evening liturgy of the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.
The Apostle reminds us that we carry the "treasure" which
Christ has given us in earthen vessels. All Christians are thus
called to press forward on their earthly pilgrimage without letting
themselves be overwhelmed by difficulties or afflictions (cf. Lumen
Gentium, 8), in the certainty that they will overcome all obstacles
thanks to the help and the power which come from on high.
With this conviction, I am happy to pray this evening together with
you, beloved brothers and sisters of the Churches and Ecclesial
Communities present in Rome, united by the one Baptism in the Lord
Jesus Christ. I offer a heartfelt greeting to all of you.
It is my great desire that the Church of Rome, which Providence
has entrusted with a unique "presidency in charity" (Ignatius
of Antioch, Letter to the Romans, Introduction), may increasingly
become a model of fraternal ecumenical relations.
2. As Christians, we know that we are called to bear witness before
the world to the "glorious Gospel" which Christ has given
to us (cf. 2 Cor 4:4). In his name, let us unite our efforts in
order to be at the service of peace and reconciliation, justice
and solidarity, especially at the side of the poor and the least
of the earth.
In this context, I would like to recall the Day of Prayer for World
Peace held in Assisi one year ago, on 24 January. That interreligious
event sent a powerful message to the world: every authentically
religious person is obliged to ask God for the gift of peace, with
renewed determination to promote and build peace together with other
believers. The theme of peace remains as urgent as ever. It makes
particular demands on the followers of Christ, the Prince of Peace,
and it represents a challenge and a commitment for the ecumenical
movement.
3. In response to the one Spirit who guides the Church, we wish
this evening to offer thanks to God for the many abundant fruits
which he, the giver of every good gift, has lavished upon the path
of ecumenism. In addition to the Assisi meeting, which saw the participation
of high-level representatives of almost all the Churches and Ecclesial
Communities of East and West, how can I fail to mention the visit
to Rome last March of a Delegation from the Holy Synod of the Orthodox
Church of Greece? In June I joined Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
I in signing the Common Declaration on safeguarding the environment.
In May I had the joy of visiting Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria, and
in October I was visited by Patriarch Teoctist of Romania, with
whom I also signed a Common Declaration. Nor can I forget the visit
of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, at the conclusion
of his mandate, my meetings with Ecumenical Delegations of Ecclesial
Communities of the West, and the progress made by the various mixed
Commissions of dialogue.
At the same time we cannot fail to acknowledge realistically the
difficulties, the problems and at times the disappointments which
we still encounter. At times we sense a certain weariness, a lack
of fervour, while still experiencing the pain that we are not yet
able to share the Eucharistic Banquet. But the Holy Spirit never
ceases to surprise us and he continues to work extraordinary wonders.
4. In the present situation of ecumenism, it is important to realize
that only the Spirit of God is in a position to give us full visible
unity; only the Spirit of God can inspire new fervour and courage.
This is why we need to stress the importance of spiritual ecumenism,
which constitutes the soul of the whole ecumenical movement. (Cf.
Unitatis Redintegratio, 6-8).
This does not mean in any way lessening or downplaying theological
dialogue, which has borne abundant fruits in recent decades. Such
dialogue remains, as always, an indispensable task. In fact, unity
between the followers of Christ can only be a unity in truth (cf.
Encyclical Letter Ut Unum Sint, 18-19). The Spirit guides us towards
this goal also through theological dialogues, which represent a
sure occasion of mutual enrichment.
Only in the Holy Spirit, however, is it possible to receive the
truth of the Gospel, binding for everyone in its depth. Spiritual
ecumenism opens our eyes and our hearts to the understanding of
revealed truth, and enables us to recognize it and welcome it, thanks
also to the insights of other Christians.
5. Spiritual ecumenism takes place above all through prayer raised
up to God, in common whenever possible. Like Mary and the disciples
after the Lord's Ascension, it is important that we continue to
come together and call untiringly upon the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts
1:12,14). To prayer we must also add listening to the Word of God
in Sacred Scripture, the foundation and sustenance of our faith
(cf. Dei Verbum, 21-25). For there can be no ecumenical rapprochement
without conversion of heart, personal sanctification and renewal
of ecclesial life.
Communities of consecrated life and recent spiritual movements have
a particular role in fostering an encounter with the ancient and
venerable Churches of the East, imbued with the spirit of monasticism.
There are encouraging signs of a promising revival of spiritual
life in the Ecclesial Communities of the West too, and I am gladdened
by the helpful exchanges taking place between all these diverse
Christian groups.
Nor should we overlook the instances in which the clergy of other
Churches attend Catholic Universities: guests at our seminaries,
they take part in student life in accordance with the ecclesial
discipline in force. Experience has shown that this leads to mutual
enrichment.
6. The hope that we express together today is that the spirituality
of communion will grow ever stronger! As I wrote in my Apostolic
Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, may each of us be enabled more and
more to look upon our brothers and sisters in faith, within the
unity of the Mystical Body, as "those who are a part of me",
in order to be "able to share their joys and sufferings".
May we come to see "what is positive in others, to welcome
it and prize it as a gift from God: not only as a gift for the brother
or sister who has received it directly, but also as a 'gift for
me'". Let there be no mistake: without an authentic spirituality
of communion, external structures of communion "would become
mechanisms without a soul, 'masks' of communion rather than its
means of expression and growth" (No. 43).
Let us continue, then, with courage and patience along this path,
trusting in the power of the Spirit! It is not for us to set time
frames or deadlines; the Lord's promise is enough for us.
Strengthened by the word of Christ, we shall not give in to weariness,
but rather shall intensify our efforts and our prayer for unity.
May his invitation echo in our hearts tonight and bring us comfort:
"Duc in altum!". Let us go forward, placing our trust
always in him! Amen! |
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