Living Bulwark

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

January 18-25, 2017

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

– 2 Corinthians 5:14-20

Note: The Psalms listed in this booklet follow the numbering of the Hebrew tradition.

When Paul was converted to Christ he came to a radical new understanding: one person has died for all. Jesus did not just die for his own people, nor merely for those who sympathized with his teachings. He died for all people, past, present and future. Faithful to the Gospel, many Christians down the centuries have laid down their lives for their friends. One such person was the Franciscan Maximilian Kolbe, who was imprisoned in the concentration camp at Auschwitz and who in 1941 willingly gave up his life so that a fellow prisoner could live.

Because Jesus died for all, all have died with him (2 Cor. 5:14). In dying with Christ our old way of life becomes a thing of the past and we enter into a new form of existence: abundant life – a life in which we can experience comfort, trust and forgiveness, even today – a life which continues to have meaning even after death. This new life is life in God.

Having come to this realization, Paul felt compelled by the love of Christ to preach the Good News of reconciliation with God. Christian churches share in this same commission of proclaiming the Gospel message. We need to ask ourselves how we can proclaim this gospel of reconciliation in view of our divisions.

Questions for reflection:

•    What does it mean to say that Jesus died for all?
•    The German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “I am a brother to another person through what Jesus Christ did for me and to me; the other person has become a brother to me through what Jesus Christ did for him.” How does this affect how I view others?
•    What are the consequences of this for ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue?

God our Father, in Jesus you gave us the one who died for all. He lived our life and died our death. You accepted his sacrifice and raised him to new life with you. Grant that we, who have died with him, may be made one by the Holy Spirit and live in the abundance of your divine presence now and forever. Amen.

Thursday January 19, 2017
Live no longer for themselves (2 Corinthians 5:15)

•    Micah 6:6-8    God has told you what is good
•    Psalm 25:1-5    God of my salvation, show me your ways
•    1 John 4:19-21    We love because God first loved us
•    Matthew 16:24-26    Those who lose their life for my sake will find it

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been freed from the need to create our own meaning and from living only out of our own strength. Rather, we live in the life-giving power of Christ, who lived, died, and rose again for us. When we ‘lose’ our life for his sake, we gain it.

The prophets were constantly faced with questions concerning the right way to live before God. The prophet Micah found a very clear answer to this question: “To do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.” The author of Psalm 25 knew that we cannot do this by ourselves and cried out to God for guidance and strength.

In recent years, social isolation and increasing loneliness have become important issues in many contemporary societies. Christians are called to develop new forms of community life in which we share our means of livelihood with others and nurture support between generations. The Gospel call to live not for ourselves but for Christ is also a call to reach out to others and to break down the barriers of isolation.

•    How does our culture tempt us to live only for ourselves rather than for others?
•    In what ways can we live for others in our daily life?
•    What are the ecumenical implications of the call to live no longer for ourselves?

God our Father, in Jesus Christ you have freed us for a life that goes beyond ourselves. Guide us with your Spirit and help us to orient our lives as sisters and brothers in Christ, who lived, suffered, died and rose again for us, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Friday, January 20, 2017
We regard no one from a human point of view (2 Cor. 5:16)

•    1 Samuel 16:1. 6-7    The Lord looks not at outward appearances but at the heart
•    Psalm 19:7-13    The commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes
•    Acts 9:1-19    Saul becomes Paul
•    Matthew 5:1-12    The Beatitudes

Commentary:

Encountering Christ turns everything upside down. Paul had that experience on the road to Damascus. For the first time he could see Jesus for who he really was: the Savior of the world. His point of view was changed completely. He had to lay his human, worldly judgment aside.

Encountering Christ changes our perspective as well. Nevertheless, we often linger in the past and judge according to human standards. We make claims or do things “in the name of the Lord” that in reality may be self-serving. Throughout history, both human rulers and the churches themselves have misused their power and influence to pursue unjust political goals.

Transformed by their encounter with Christ, in 1741, the Christians of the Moravian Church (Herrnhuter) answered the call to regard no-one from a human point of view by choosing to ‘submit to Christ’s Rule’. In submitting ourselves to the rule of Christ today, we are called to see others as God sees them, without mistrust or prejudice.

Questions for reflection:

• Where can I identify Damascus experiences in my life?
• What changes when we view other Christians or people of other faiths as God views them?

Prayer:

Triune God, you are the origin and goal of all living things. Forgive us when we only think of ourselves and are blinded by our own standards. Open our hearts and our eyes. Teach us to be loving, accepting and gracious, so that we may grow in the unity which is your gift. To you be honor and praise, now and forever. Amen

•    Genesis 19:15-26    Don’t look back
•    Psalm 77: 5-15    God is always faithful
•    Philippians 3: 7-14    Forgetting what lies behind
•    Luke 9:57-62    Keep your hand on the plough

We often live out of the past. Looking back can be helpful, and is often necessary for the healing of memories. It can also paralyze us and prevent us from living in the present. Paul’s message here is liberating: “everything old has passed away”.

The Bible encourages us to keep the past in mind, to draw strength from our memories, and to remember what good God has done. However, it also asks us to leave the old, even what was good, in order to follow Christ and live a new life in him.

During this year, the work of Martin Luther and other reformers is being commemorated by many Christians, both Protestant and Catholic. The Reformation changed much in the life of the Western Church. Many Christians showed heroic witness and many were renewed in their Christian lives. At the same time, as scripture shows, it is important not to be limited by what happened in the past, but rather to allow the Holy Spirit to open us to a new future in which division is overcome and God’s people is made whole.

Questions for reflection:

• What could we learn by reading together the history of our divisions and mutual mistrust?
• What must change in my church so that divisions can be overcome and that which unites can be strengthened?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, the same, yesterday, today and forever. Heal the wounds of our past,
bless our pilgrimage towards unity today and guide us into your future, when you will be all in all, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen

This prayer may be used after the blessing of the Wine similar to the other seasonal variations in the Lord's Day Opening Ceremony.

Leader: Let us thank Him this day especially for the unity we enjoy in the Body of Christ and for our call to Ecumenical Life in the Sword of the Spirit. May we all become perfectly one, so that the world may know and believe. Lord our God, You are bringing us into the fullness of unity through the work of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Group: Now we live with Him through the Holy Spirit, and we look for the day when we will dwell with Him in Your everlasting kingdom.

Sunday, January 22, 2017
Everything has become new (2 Corinthians 5:17)

•    Ezekiel 36:25-27    Receiving a new heart from God
•    Psalm 126    Being filled with joy
•    Colossians 3:9-17    Being renewed in Christ
•    John 3:1-8    Being born in the Spirit

Paul encountered Christ, the risen Lord, and became a renewed person—just as everyone does who believes in Christ. This new creation is not visible to the naked eye. Instead it is a reality of faith. God lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit and lets us share in the life of the Trinity.

By this act of new creation, the Fall is overcome and we are brought into a saving relationship with God. Truly amazing things can be said about us: as Paul said, in Christ we are a new creation; in his resurrection death is overcome; no person or thing can snatch us out of the hand of God; we are one in Christ and he lives in us; in Christ we are “a kingdom and priests” (Rev 5:10) as we give thanks to him for overcoming death and we proclaim the promise of the new creation.

This new life becomes visible when we allow it to take shape and live it out in “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” It must also become apparent in our ecumenical relationships. A common conviction in many churches is that the more we are in Christ, the closer we are to each other. Especially on this 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we are reminded of both the achievements and tragedies of our history. The love of Christ compels us to live as renewed beings in actively seeking unity and reconciliation.

•   What helps me to recognize that I am a new creation in Christ?
•   What are the steps I need to take to live out my new life in Christ?
•   What are the ecumenical implications of being a new creation?

Prayer:

Triune God, you reveal yourself to us as Father and creator, as Son and Savior, and as Spirit and giver of life, and yet you are one. You break through our human boundaries and renew us. Give us a new heart to overcome all that endangers our unity in you. We pray in the name of Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

•   Genesis 17:1-8   God makes a covenant with Abraham
•   Psalm 98   The world has seen the victory of God
•   Romans 5:6-11   God reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ
•   Luke 2:8-14   Proclamation of the good news

Commentary:

Reconciliation has two sides: it is fascinating and terrifying at the same time. It draws us in so that we desire it: within ourselves, with one another, and between our different confessional traditions. We see the price and it scares us. For reconciliation means renouncing our desire for power and recognition. In Christ God graciously reconciles us to himself even though we have turned away from him. God's action goes beyond even this: God reconciles not only humanity, but the whole of creation to himself.

In the Old Testament God was faithful and merciful to the people of Israel, with whom he established a covenant. This covenant remains: “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom 11:29). Jesus, who inaugurated the new covenant in his blood, was a son of Israel. Too often in history our churches have failed to honor this. After the Holocaust, it is the distinctive task of the German churches to combat antisemitism. Similarly all churches are called to bring forth reconciliation in their communities and resist all forms of human discrimination, for we are all part of God’s covenant.

• How do we as Christian communities understand being part of God’s covenant?
• What forms of discrimination do our churches need to address today in our societies?

Merciful God, out of love you made a covenant with your people. Empower us to resist all forms of discrimination. Let the gift of your loving covenant fill us with joy and inspire us to greater unity. Through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017
The ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

•    Genesis 50:15-21    Joseph is reconciled with his brothers
•    Psalm 72    God’s kingdom brings righteousness and peace
•    1 John 3:16b-21    God’s love compels us to love one another
•    John 17:20-26    Jesus prays for the unity of his church

Commentary:

Reconciliation between God and human beings is the key reality of our Christian faith. Paul was convinced that the love of Christ compels us to bring God’s reconciliation to bear in all aspects of our life. Today this leads us to examine our consciences in relation to our divisions. As the story of Joseph demonstrates, God always gives the grace needed for the healing of broken relationships.

As the middle ages came to a close, many reformers sought to bring about the renewal of the church: Protestants like Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin; Catholics like Ignatius of Loyola, Francis de Sales and Charles Borromeo; and the Orthodox, Sergius of Radonezh. However, what should have been a story of God’s grace was also marred by human sinfulness and became a story of the rending of the unity of God’s people. Compounded by sin and warfare, mutual hostility and suspicion deepened over the centuries.

The ministry of reconciliation includes the work of overcoming divisions within Christianity. Today, many Christian churches work together in mutual trust and respect. One positive example of ecumenical reconciliation is the dialogue between the Lutheran World Federation and the Mennonite World Conference. After the dialogue results were published in the document “Healing Memories: Reconciling in Christ”, the two organizations held a penitential service together in 2010 followed by further reconciliation services throughout Germany and in many other countries.

Questions for reflection:

• Where do we see the need for a ministry of reconciliation in our context?
• How are we responding to this need?

Prayer:

God of all goodness, we give you thanks for reconciling us and the whole world
to yourself in Christ. Empower us, our congregations and our churches in ministries of reconciliation. Heal our hearts and help us to spread your peace. “Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy”. We pray in the name of Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Wednesday January 25, 2017
Reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20)

•    Micah 4:1-5    In the last days justice will reign
•    Psalm 87    Glorious things are spoken of God
•    Revelation 21:1-5a    God will make a new heaven and a new earth
•    John 20:11-18    Meeting the risen Christ leads to personal mission

Commentary:

What if? What if the prophecies in the Bible actually came true? If the wars between people stopped and if life-giving things were to be made out of the weapons of war? What if God’s justice and peace reigned, a peace which was more than simply the absence of war? If all of humanity came together for a celebration in which not a single person was marginalized? What if there really was no more mourning, no more tears, and no more death? It would be the culmination of the reconciliation that God brought about in Jesus Christ. It would be heaven!

Psalms, canticles, and hymns sing of the day when the whole perfected creation finally arrives at its goal, the day when God will be “all in all”. They tell about the Christian hope for the fulfilment of God´s reign, when suffering will be transformed into joy. On that day, the Church will be revealed in her beauty and grace as the one body of Christ. Wherever we gather in the Spirit to sing together about the fulfilment of God’s promises, the heavens break open and we begin here and now to dance to the melody of eternity.

As we can already experience this presence of heaven, let us celebrate together. We may be inspired to share images, poems and songs from our particular traditions. These materials can open up spaces for us to experience our common faith in and hope for God’s Kingdom.

• How do you envision heaven?
• Which songs, stories, poems, and pictures from your tradition give you the feeling of participating in the reality of God´s eternity?

Prayer:

Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we thank you for this week of prayer, for being together as Christians and for the different ways we have experienced your presence. Let us always praise your holy name together so that we may continue to grow in unity and reconciliation. Amen.