Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11-19)
Latin America has become pluralistic with regard to religion. In most cities Protestant churches dot neighborhoods like grocery stores, and missionaries pace the streets inviting people to taste their spiritual food. There is little concern for ecumenism. Priests see the missionaries as bandits raiding their flocks as Paul warns of in today’s first reading. Meanwhile, Protestant pastors criticize Catholic priests as betrayers of the word of God which the gospel mentions as given by Jesus to his disciples. The situation defies Jesus’ prayer for unity at the heart of his “Priestly Prayer.”
Jesus asks his Father to make all those who believe in him one in faith and love. He has in mind all the churches that his disciples will establish. We extend that vision today with the hope, expressed by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical That They May Be One, that Christian communities of the Reformation as well as the Orthodox churches someday share with Catholics the Eucharist. We can move toward this goal by cooperating with other branches of Christianity on charitable projects, by participating in ecumenical dialogues and prayer services, and by voiding criticism of other religious traditions.
Showing posts with label That They May Be One. Show all posts
Showing posts with label That They May Be One. Show all posts
Homilette for Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11-19)
Latin America has become pluralistic with regard to religion. In most cities Protestant churches dot neighborhoods like little grocery stores, and missionaries pace the streets inviting people to taste their spiritual food. There is little concern for ecumenism. Priests see the missionaries as bandits raiding their flocks. Meanwhile, Protestant pastors criticize Catholicism as the unfaithful spouse of the word of God. The situation defies Jesus’ prayer for unity in the gospel today.
Jesus asks his Father to make all those who believe in him one in faith and charity. He has in mind all the churches that his disciples will establish. We extend that vision today with the hope, expressed by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical That They May Be One, that Christian communities of the Reformation as well as those of Orthodoxy some day share with Catholics the Eucharist. We can move toward the realization of this goal by cooperating with other branches of Christianity on charitable projects and by participating in ecumenical dialogues and prayer services.
(Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11-19)
Latin America has become pluralistic with regard to religion. In most cities Protestant churches dot neighborhoods like little grocery stores, and missionaries pace the streets inviting people to taste their spiritual food. There is little concern for ecumenism. Priests see the missionaries as bandits raiding their flocks. Meanwhile, Protestant pastors criticize Catholicism as the unfaithful spouse of the word of God. The situation defies Jesus’ prayer for unity in the gospel today.
Jesus asks his Father to make all those who believe in him one in faith and charity. He has in mind all the churches that his disciples will establish. We extend that vision today with the hope, expressed by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical That They May Be One, that Christian communities of the Reformation as well as those of Orthodoxy some day share with Catholics the Eucharist. We can move toward the realization of this goal by cooperating with other branches of Christianity on charitable projects and by participating in ecumenical dialogues and prayer services.
Homilette for Wednesday, May 9, 2008
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
(John 17:11-19)
Latin America has become pluralistic with regard to religion. In most cities -- and the region is increasingly urbanized -- Protestant churches dot neighborhoods like little grocery stores and missionaries, both foreign and home grown, pace the streets inviting people to taste their spiritual food. There is little concern for ecumenism. Catholic pastors often see the Protestants as opportunists trying to steal their flock. Meanwhile, Protestant pastors criticize Catholicism for its many devotions that seem to impede the people’s acquaintance with the word of God. The situation defies Jesus’ prayer in the gospel today.
Jesus asks his Father to make all those who believe in him one in faith and charity. He has in mind all the churches that his disciples will establish. It is an ambitious request because different ways of thinking and different bonds of affection tend to draw people apart. We should not derive consolation from the fact that factions in all major religions match those of Christianity.
In 1995 Pope John Paul II wrote an extraordinary encyclical entitled with words taken from today’s gospel, That They May Be One. He said that it that as Vicar of Christ, he had an obligation to seek Christian unity. He further stated that although the truth could never be compromised to accommodate oneness, the Church’s visible form is not everywhere non-negotiable. After thirteen years without any significant realignment within Christianity, some might think that John Paul’s initiative has failed. But that might be short-sightedness. Individuals and communities from various branches of Christianity are working together more than a hundred years ago. Of course, further mutual understanding and cooperation are called for. Everywhere, including Latin America, we Christians must see such efforts as the will of the Lord.
(John 17:11-19)
Latin America has become pluralistic with regard to religion. In most cities -- and the region is increasingly urbanized -- Protestant churches dot neighborhoods like little grocery stores and missionaries, both foreign and home grown, pace the streets inviting people to taste their spiritual food. There is little concern for ecumenism. Catholic pastors often see the Protestants as opportunists trying to steal their flock. Meanwhile, Protestant pastors criticize Catholicism for its many devotions that seem to impede the people’s acquaintance with the word of God. The situation defies Jesus’ prayer in the gospel today.
Jesus asks his Father to make all those who believe in him one in faith and charity. He has in mind all the churches that his disciples will establish. It is an ambitious request because different ways of thinking and different bonds of affection tend to draw people apart. We should not derive consolation from the fact that factions in all major religions match those of Christianity.
In 1995 Pope John Paul II wrote an extraordinary encyclical entitled with words taken from today’s gospel, That They May Be One. He said that it that as Vicar of Christ, he had an obligation to seek Christian unity. He further stated that although the truth could never be compromised to accommodate oneness, the Church’s visible form is not everywhere non-negotiable. After thirteen years without any significant realignment within Christianity, some might think that John Paul’s initiative has failed. But that might be short-sightedness. Individuals and communities from various branches of Christianity are working together more than a hundred years ago. Of course, further mutual understanding and cooperation are called for. Everywhere, including Latin America, we Christians must see such efforts as the will of the Lord.
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