Day 1, United through the presence of Christ (Ephesians 4:5, 6).
Scripture
Ezekiel 37:15-28, My dwelling place shall be with them.
Psalm 67, Let the peoples praise you, O God.
Ephesians 4:1-6, One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
John 14:23-27, We will come to them and make our home with them.
Meditation
The scriptures stress that God’s will is for the unity of God’s people. Through
Ezekiel the prophet, God affirms that Judah and Israel – two divided, often
estranged kingdoms – will again be one. God’s cleansing presence will strengthen
and bless them in a covenant of peace. The natural response to God’s gift of
unity is our gratitude and praise. The psalmist calls upon all the nations to
unite in praise of God, whose saving power may be seen in all nations and
throughout the whole earth. Jesus taught his first followers that he, with the
Father, would be present with them, “making a home” with each one who loved him.
And he promised that this presence would not end with his death, that he would
continue to be present with each one of his followers – and with us, today –
through the Holy Spirit. But the promise of Jesus’ presence is not limited to
individual believers. As the evangelist Matthew affirms, wherever even two or
three are gathered in Jesus’ name they form a community, a community in which
Jesus has promised to be present, strengthening and accompanying them on their
way. This common belonging is shown powerfully in our common recognition of
baptism. In baptism Christ calls each one of us, bringing us into his body, the
church. Because we each belong to Christ, we all belong to one another. That
common belonging – to Christ, and to one another – makes us one, despite all our
differences of history, culture, and theological conviction: “for where two or
three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Mt 18:20).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank you for your presence among us, strengthening and
encouraging us on our way. Make us aware of your presence in us and enable us to
respond to your promptings in all that we do. Grant us the wisdom and humility
to recognize your presence in our brothers and sisters. Make us truly one, O
Lord. Amen.
Day 2, Building Christian Unity with Jesus in Our Midst (John 13:14).
Scripture
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20, Then you shall live and become numerous.
Psalm 133, How very good it is... when kindred live together in unity.
1 Corinthians 12: 12-31, God arranged the members in the body.
John 13: 1-15, You also ought to wash one another’s feet.
Meditation
As the psalmist proclaims, unity is attractive. Because Christ is among us, all
Christians have an obligation to harmonize the daily life of their communities
more closely with the spirit of the gospel. Washing the feet of his disciples on
the evening before he died, Jesus left us a specific example of Christian
behavior towards our neighbor. In 1 Corinthians 12, Saint Paul, writing of the
need to care for each other, adds the fact that in the Holy Spirit everyone is
different, although part of the same body. The word of God invites us, as
brothers and sisters in the church, to accept the concrete task of making the
church grow in order to be of service to the world. Participation in the life of
the Holy Trinity is not a simple affirmation of an article of faith. The gospel
urges us to commit ourselves daily to the ecumenical task, so that the church
better reflects the trinitarian communion. In the one God, whom we confess along
with our sisters and brothers in other monotheistic faiths, is there not for us
an example to follow in the love shared between the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit? Among the members of the church, moving forward with Christ implies
recognizing that a positive action, however modest, accomplished in community
has more value than one made in isolation. To wash the feet of one’s sisters and
brothers is more than a simple gesture, it is opening one’s heart in
faithfulness to Jesus who bids us serve the one church, of which we desire to be
both the living stones and the builders.
Prayer
Eternal God, united in the name of your son, Jesus Christ and in the presence of
your consoling Spirit, we commit ourselves to build a Christian community with
heart and enthusiasm renewed in the fire of your love. With those whom we
encounter in daily life, may we practice ecumenism in the image of your Son, who
washed the feet of his disciples, so that together we may enter into new life in
his presence. Amen
Day 3, Praying together in Jesus’ Name (Isaiah 30:18a).
Scripture
Isaiah 30:18-26, He will surely be gracious to you.
Psalm 136, His steadfast love endures forever.
Acts 1:12-14, Together in prayer.
Matthew 18:18-20, Prayer in Jesus’ name.
Meditation
Gathering together for prayer, as a single worshipping community, despite
differences on the human plane, is a consistent theme of the Bible. Communities
gathered to worship and praise God, to seek God’s forgiveness and to intercede
for God’s mercy and help. The graciousness of God is revealed even more in the
fact that the Lord is a God of justice. Our prayers are responses to God’s
justice, to what God has first done for us, for “while we were still sinners
Christ died for us.” Throughout the Bible the character of God is revealed as
gracious, patient, redeeming love. The Psalms have been preserved as the hymns
and prayers of God’s people, recited when they met together to worship God. The
shared words bound the people together and created a sense of belonging, which
in turn gave them confidence and security. It was natural that this tradition
should continue in the early church. Didn’t Jesus himself teach his disciples
how to pray? In today’s gospel reading, Jesus teaches about granting whatever we
ask, if we are agreed. When we meet together, as Christians, to love and pray
with one another, we can be assured of Christ’s presence with us. Together, as
we pray in Jesus’ name, we are also bound by him to each other and to the object
of our prayer. Therefore, united prayer is powerful prayer. The disciples of
Jesus devoted themselves to prayer and wanted to be united. It is quite possible
that Jesus’ prayer for his disciples to be one, offered on the eve of his death,
was made because they were not yet united in his name. Twenty centuries later,
we need to ask ourselves, how much closer are we to being united in prayer, life
and work? Our unity is indeed a gift that comes from God. Moreover, we realize
that we must humbly and continually seek this gift. The apostle exhorts us to
pray without ceasing that the Holy Spirit falls afresh upon us in our diversity
but unites us through his prompting.
Prayer
Lord, teach us to pray as Jesus taught his disciples. As they were united in
their hearts, so may we be one in our faith, love and service. May we celebrate
difference, rejoice in diversity and willingly share the riches of our patterns
of prayer. Allow our coming together in Jesus’ name to transform us to be one in
reality so that the world may believe in his abiding presence. Amen.
Day 4, From the Past to the Future: Forgiveness (Matthew 18: 22).
Scripture
Jonah 3, The repentance of the great city of Nineveh.
Psalm 51, A plea for mercy.
Colossians 3: 12-17, Above all, clothe yourselves with love.
John 8: 1-11, Neither do I condemn you.
Meditation
Acknowledgment of the sins of the past, the grace of forgiveness and
reconciliation are the recurrent themes in these readings. In their mutual
relations, our Christian communities still carry the traces of a past marked by
human frailty and sin. Some wounds are healing, others are still the source of
pain and division. Facing up to the past can be difficult and require sincere
soul searching, both for individuals and communities. Yet this is what God asks
of us if we are truly to live as his chosen people and to allow the peace of
Christ to rule in our hearts and among us. Jonah challenges the people of
Nineveh to be honest in confessing their self-centeredness, their disregard for
goodness and their acts of violence. He addresses this call to the whole city
and all its inhabitants. All must turn away from their evil ways and from the
violence that is still part of them. The psalmist pleads for God’s forgiveness
as he, too, is deeply troubled by his past. He recognizes his failings and
implores God not to abandon him. He also feels responsible for the people of
Nineveh and wishes to show them the way of truth and an upright life so that
they also might be reconciled with God. The scribes and Pharisees see only
failure and sin in the adulterous woman. They identify her with her past. At the
same time, they refuse to recognize their own past and their own sins. Jesus
invites us not to cast the first stone, not to condemn, and finally, to sin no
more. Our search for unity is founded on this call. Pardon cannot be measured.
It is as inexhaustible as the love of God: as much as seventy times seven times.
In their ecumenical journey our communities are called to witness to God’s mercy
in its infinity.
Prayer
Reconciling God, help us to overcome the grievances and bitterness which the
failings and sins of the past have built up in us. Teach us your forgiveness so
that we may, in humility, seek reconciliation with you and with our neighbor.
Strengthen in us the love of Christ, source and guarantee of the unity of your
church. Amen.
Day 5, God’s Presence among us: A Call to Peace. (Psalm 46).
Scripture
1 Kings 19: 1-13a. The sound of sheer silence.
Psalm 46, The Lord is with us.
Acts 10: 9-48, God shows no partiality.
Luke 10: 25-37, Who is my neighbor?
Meditation
As we reflect on the biblical texts which speak of the presence of God among us,
we are aware of substantial challenges on our ecumenical journeying. As in
Elijah’s time, it is no use looking for God in a hurricane or an earthquake.
Rather, his peaceful and comforting presence is to be found in the whisper of a
gentle breeze or even in sheer silence. We must make the psalmist’s conviction
our own: God is our only strength. Following the example of a God who destroys
bows and breaks spears, we are invited to bring all conflict to an end. The
episode recorded in the Acts of the Apostles invites us to meditate on the
spirit of the Risen Christ at work throughout the world. In the image of an
impartial God, we must learn to go beyond all too human frontiers. The parable
of the Good Samaritan reminds us that we cannot look away when we come across a
brother or sister in need. How can we not feel concerned when another ecclesial
community is in difficulty?
Prayer
Gathered in the name of Christ Jesus, Father, we pray, make us attentive to your
presence in this world and help us discern the ways along which you want to lead
us in our ecumenical pilgrimage. All honor and glory be to you, for ever and
ever. Amen.
Day 6, Mission in Jesus’ Name (Matthew 18:14).
Scripture
Daniel 3:19-30, Witnessing for faith.
Psalm 146, In praise of God the Savior.
Acts 8:26-40, Philip witnesses to the Ethiopian eunuch.
Luke 10:1-12, Jesus sends out his disciples.
Meditation
Today we meet people who are called by God to witness to their faith. Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego have a strong and firm belief in the One who saves them.
Their fervor, courage and united witness, in the face of great personal danger,
convince the king and his officials that their God is the one true God. However,
their faith-witness served also to rally the fainthearted of Israel. In this way
the people of God were strengthened and united once more around their God. The
psalmist sings the praises of the Lord who reaches out to the people in many
different circumstances so that they may find safety and salvation. The
definitive example of God’s continuous care for his people may be seen in the
sending of Jesus. He not only gathers in those who are weak and have gone
astray, but also expects his disciples to be enthusiastic and committed in
sharing the good news of the kingdom of God when sent on mission in his name.
Philip reflects the enthusiasm of the early church. He capitalizes on every
opportunity that presents itself to fulfil the mission of Jesus. As Christ’s
followers today we are called to be a missionary people. Moreover, the message
of the gospel is always stronger when Christians are united in offering a common
witness to its truth. It is our turn to share the good news with all people. We
are called to have courage in the face of unbelief; to move out from the
security of our own culture and religious tradition; to find new and innovative
ways of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ; to be inspired and excited by
our common faith; to be motivated by the compassion of Jesus; to work together
to alleviate suffering in our world; and to challenge the injustice in the world
and stand alongside the poor. In the face of a rapidly evolving world, the
united witness to the gospel that Christians give comes from both our activity
of going out to the world, and our gathering in the weak so that not one of the
little ones should be lost. We have a double calling to fulfill!
Prayer
Living God, awaken in us the desire to be a missionary people. Help us to
listen for your call and grant us the courage to follow the guidance of your
Spirit. Through our common witness may we gather in the weak to be strengthened
and go out to all the world to proclaim the good news of your kingdom. Amen.
Day 7, Recognizing and welcoming God's presence in the other in Jesus'
name (Matthew 18: 5).
Scripture
Exodus 3: 1-17, The burning bush.
Psalm 34, The Lord saves the crushed in spirit.
Acts 9: 1-6, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
Matthew 25: 31-46, Jesus is present in our neighbor.
Meditation
When God announced that he would liberate the people of Israel from slavery,
leading them out of Egypt and into a land flowing with milk and honey, he made
known his presence to Moses from within the burning bush which was never
consumed by fire. Thus the people are assured of the presence of the God of
their fathers: “I am who I am.” This is no distant, uncaring God but a presence
and a person concerned with the fate of his chosen people. God would later
confirm the nature of his being in the person of his son, Jesus Christ, who
reminds us that we must become like little children if we wish to enter the
kingdom! It is not in the great of this world that we should first seek Christ
but in the innocence of little children (and those who have become like them in
innocence and humility). In welcoming them into our midst, we welcome the
Christ. Jesus gives us further assurance of his presence with us when we keep
his word; when two or three come together in his name; and with those who are
persecuted for his sake. Above all, as Christians who obey Jesus’ command at the
last supper to “do this in remembrance of me,” – and although we might not agree
on the exact nature of Jesus' presence – we believe (at the very least) that he
is present in our hearts and minds. As we feed the hungry, tend the sick, visit
the prisoners, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger we also care for and
welcome Jesus. The World Council of Churches was set up (in part) in 1948 in
response to the urgent need for Christians to collaborate in the task of
reconciliation and caring for those whose lives had been devastated by World War
II. The diaconal and ecumenical task continues with as much urgency today. At
the same time, theologians struggle to find the way towards greater unity within
the church. Here too “stranger” is a key word. Jesus told us that we should love
our neighbor in all his otherness. This clear instruction to recognize that the
stranger, the other, belongs to Christ however different he or she may be is a
fundamental clue as to how we can embrace and pursue the ecumenical task. If we
recognize the presence of Christ in the stranger from another church tradition
we need not fear him or his intentions. Instead we might learn from him and he
from us. In this way, we advance along the road to unity. It is in our awareness
of Jesus' continuing presence in so many different ways that we recognize that
he is indeed part of our lives. Not just a figure in history who taught us how
we should live, but through the Holy Spirit he is present and active in the
world today.
Prayer
Eternal Father, grant us to recognize your presence among us in different ways
that our desire for true community in our own churches and society may be
increased, and our prayer for unity within the body of Christ, your church, may
be ever more fervent. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Day 8, One in hope (John 14:20).
Scripture
Exodus 40:34-38, Throughout all their journeys the cloud of the Lord was upon
the tabernacle.
Psalm 42, Hope in God, for I shall again praise him.
Revelation 21:1-6, God himself will be with them.
John 14:15-31, I will not leave you orphaned.
Meditation
The people of Israel were led by Moses through the desert. As they journeyed in
the wilderness, God was present in a column of cloud by day and of fire by
night. The theme of the psalm is a vital longing and hoping for the community of
God which will take away all doubts and sorrows. The new people born out of the
gospel is a pilgrim people, journeying towards the fullness of life in the new
creation when God will dwell among us wiping away every tear from our eyes.
Death will be no more. Pain and divisions are overcome. There will be one
renewed and unified humanity in God. Now, however, we are together on the way.
We have the same hope and belong to the one God. On our pilgrim way we are not
desolate. Jesus has not left us orphans because the Spirit has been given to us.
It is the Spirit of hope and the Spirit of love. The peace of Christ has been
given to us, encouraging and leading us to remain in love. If we love Christ, we
will keep his word. The theme of this week reminds us of Jesus’ promise: “where
two or three are gathered in my name ...,” With Jesus, the eternal Word of God
living among us, we travel together on a journey of hope. We can help one
another to be faithful to this way. In the power of the Spirit, Jesus Christ
will introduce us more and more into the Father’s will of renewal. The
reconciled and reconciling community to which we are committed in our ecumenical
movement is a sign and an anticipation of the coming new creation. With God’s
grace, we are on a journey to live now already as much as possible “on earth as
it is in heaven.”
Prayer
Eternal Father, united in the name of Jesus, give us the certainty that despite
everything, death will not win out, that our divisions will cease, that we will
not give way to discouragement and that we will attain in hope to that fullness
of life, love and light that you promise to those who love you and keep your
word. Amen.