“All
will know that
you are my
disciples if
you have love
for one
another”–
John
13:35
Introduction
The Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity is an eight-day observance or
“octave” of prayer. It has been this way from
the beginnings of this international movement in
1908. Following are a set of daily scripture
readings, a short commentary on the readings and
a prayer. This set of materials was developed by
the Sword of the Spirit for use within local
communities and households during the Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity held around the world
between January 18-25, 2018.
Included with the common readings and prayers
are some additional questions to help
individuals and families participate in the Week
of Prayer for Christian Unity. We would
encourage families to take some time to engage
the readings and prayers for each day and talk
about them together, perhaps around the dinner
table or in family worship time. Please
feel free to adapt or change them as
helpful. In particular the ‘questions for
reflection’ will benefit from adaptations or
expansion to best match the ecumenical reality
in each local situation.
We have also included a short Lord’s Day prayer
that can be inserted in the section following
the Blessing of the Wine which can be used
similar to the other seasonal variations in the
Lord’s Day prayers.
Please use these materials in any way you find
most helpful in your personal and family worship
times during this season of prayer.
Note: The Psalms listed in this booklet
follow the numbering of the Hebrew
tradition.
Thursday
January 18, 2018
Through love we embrace
God’s word of life and truth together (John 17:31)
Exodus
34:6-10
God renews his covenant of love and unity
with those who obey his word.
Psalm
119:40-48
Love, revere, and speak God’s word of
truth.
John
17:17-26 Consecrated
in
truth, love, and unity.
1
Peter 1:22-2:3
Purified by your obedience to the truth
for a sincere love of the brethren.
Ephesians 2:14-22
Christ has broken down the dividing wall
of hostility and reconciled us to God in
one body through the cross.
Commentary:
What is the true source of unity that binds us
together in a community of love, peace, and
friendship with God and with one another? It is
the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle
tells us that “Christ is our peace, who has made
us both one, and has broken down the dividing
wall of hostility. and reconciled us both to God
in one body through the cross” (Ephesians
2:14,16). Jesus died for our sins – including
the sins of strife, enmity, and division – to
set us free to live together in peace, love, and
friendship with God and with one another.
Christian unity is a gift and grace of God which
must be sought and lived out each day with
faith, hope, and love. By ourselves we are weak
and unable to maintain unity and peace with our
brothers and sisters in Christ. Our flesh is
weak and we must cling to Christ and his word of
truth and life. Satan, our enemy, also conspires
to trip us up and sow seeds of discord,
division, and strife. Only the love of
Christ and the healing power of forgiveness can
restore and preserve our love and unity together
as his disciples and servants of his word of
grace and salvation.
God has called us in the Sword of the Spirit to
be a sign of the unity he desires for all
Christians today. Let us not flag in zeal for
growing in brotherly love, holiness of life, and
unity together as a community of disciples on
mission. And let us not tire in praying and
fasting for the whole people of God for a full
restoration of the unity, love, and mission he
has entrusted to all who belong to Christ.
Questions for
reflection:
Do
I regularly pray with expectant faith
and fast on behalf of the whole people
of God for the unity Christ desires for
all Christians?
Do
I actively support and engage in common
prayer, witness and mission with
Christians from other traditions and
denominations, as well as my own church?
Do
I speak with respect, brotherly love,
and ecumenical courtesy towards my
brothers and sisters from other
Christian traditions and denominations?
Prayer on behalf of
the whole people of God:
Have
mercy, Lord our God, on the people called by
your name. Rule us by your Word, sanctify us
by your Spirit, unite us in your love, and
work through us by your power. May the glory
of Christ so shine upon us that the nations
may come and behold his beauty, and may the
knowledge of you fill the earth as the
waters cover the sea. For yours is the
kingdom, the power, and the glory forever
and ever. Amen.
Additional
Reading:
On
the Path Toward Unity
Dr. Dan Keating
Do
you ever wonder what’s going on in the
search for Christian unity among the various
churches these days? Is there anything
happening? Is there good news around the
corner? Or has the search for Christian
unity stalled?
There
is a lot happening, far too much to describe
in a short write-up. Yes, there are some
very good things going on. No, we are
probably not on the verge of being fully
united across our churches. But we live and
walk in hope, trusting that the Lord Jesus
has us all in hand, and confident that the
Spirit is constantly at work.
Let
me highlight a few of the initiatives
between theologians of the churches that
display real advances in working together.
The
Joint Declaration on Justification, 2017.
Many of us will recall the Joint
Declaration between Catholics and
Lutherans in 1999. This was a partial but
genuine step in agreement on issues that
divided the two churches in the 16th
century. What most of us don’t know is
that the World Methodist Council signed on
to this agreement in 2006. And this year,
2017, the World Communion of Reformed
Churches also signed on to the joint
declaration. This is very noteworthy.
Representatives
of the Eastern Orthodox churches and the
Catholic church have been meeting together
for many years. The discussions have not
been easy. But last year, the two groups
produced a common statement summing up
their initial findings together. The
subject was how the various churches
related together in the first millennium,
and what this can teach about seeking
unity in this third millennium. It’s a
very modest step, but every small step is
appreciated.
I
have been involved over the past four
years in the Evangelical-Catholic National
Dialogue in the United States to consider
the issue of justification. The dialogue
has been very rewarding and in fact a
great deal of fun. As a member of the
Catholic team I have greatly enjoyed
getting to know the members of the
Evangelical team. We have enjoyed rich
fellowship and a clear sense of common
life in Christ.
You
might ask: “What do these dialogues and
discussions accomplish? Do they ever lead
anywhere?” Well, we shall see! But it’s
important to realize that these kinds of
discussions cannot on their own produce or
create full unity. This must happen through
the work of the Spirit in his own time and
way.
The
discussions between theologians can,
however, remove (or lighten) obstacles and
hindrances to greater unity. They move
things out of the way, and open new avenues
to walk down together. They also forge real
friendships in Christ and reveal to us that
we are all disciples, brothers and sisters
in Christ. This is an enormously important
thing. All this enables the Spirit to work
more easily and accomplish his purposes.
The
work we are about in the Sword of the Spirit
is hugely important, even if it seems like a
few small steps and modest gains. Together
we put our hope and trust in God, that he
will accomplish in his own time and his own
way this great work of unity among his
people. What a blessing to have even a small
share in this great work!
Dr.
Dan Keating is an elder in the Servants of
the Word and teaches at Sacred Heart
Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Friday
January 19, 2018
Through love we repent for the ways
we have failed to maintain the unity
of the Spirit in the bond of
peace (Ephesians
4:3)
Genesis
4:1-16 Cain’s anger towards Abel leads
to hatred, bloodshed, and family
division
Psalm
51 Purge me, wash me, create in me a
clean heart, O God
James
4:1-12 What causes division and strife
among you?
John
17:6-19 Holy Father, may they be one as
we are one… keep them from the evil one.
Commentary:
The first sin of division recorded after the
fall of Adam and Eve occurs between Cain and his
brother Abel. Both brothers sought to please God
by offering prayer and sacrifice to him. But
Cain’s sacrifice was rejected because his heart
was bitter towards his brother. God warned Cain,
“Sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for
you, but you must master it” (Gen. 4:7).” Cain
allowed his bitterness to go unchecked until he
could no longer tolerate his brother’s presence.
Cain’s hostility not only resulted in the murder
of his brother, it also brought family disunity
and strife for generations to come.
We are called to be peacemakers and reconcilers
of brother to brother and sister to sister. We
must not allow any wall of division or hostility
to grow between us and our brothers and sisters
in Christ. Satan sows seeds of mistrust,
resentment, and strife. The Holy Spirit counters
with the fruit of peace, joy, love, patience,
kindness, and forbearance. We must guard our
minds and hearts against every thought and
temptation that would keep us from loving,
serving, and living peaceably
together.
If we lose patience or fail to love one another,
let us be quick to forgive and be
reconciled. And let us embrace the call to
pray and fast earnestly for Christian unity for
the whole people of God.
Questions
for reflection:
Where
possible, as far as it depends on you, do
you strive to live peaceably with all your
brothers and sisters in Christ (Romans
12:18)?
If
a brother or sister has a complaint or
grievance against you, do you seek to
resolve it quickly and be reconciled? And
if you hold a grudge and sin against
another, do you quickly repent and ask
forgiveness?
Ask
the Lord to transform and purify your mind
and heart so you can grow in fervent love,
compassion, and kindness towards all.
Pray
earnestly on behalf of all the Christian
people that all may embrace God’s call to
peace, reconciliation, and unity together.
Prayer on behalf of
the whole people of God:
Heavenly
Father, God of steadfast love and
faithfulness, we confess our sin before you.
You have called us to be the pillar and
bulwark of the truth, but we have forsaken
your Word and exchanged the truth for a lie.
Have mercy, Lord, and forgive our sin.
You
have called us to be holy even as you are
holy, but we have disobeyed your
commandments and defiled your temple. Have
mercy, Lord, and forgive our sin.
Lord,
You have called us to love one another and
to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace, but we have broken your Son’s
body with our enmity and strife. Have mercy,
Lord, and forgive our sin.
Lord,
You have called us to be the salt of the
earth and the light of the world, but we
have imitated the nations, losing our flavor
and hiding our light. Have mercy, Lord, and
forgive our sin.
Saturday,
January 20, 2018
Through love we lay down our lives
for all the brethren (1 John 3:16)
Leviticus
19:17-18 Bear no vengeance or grudge –
love your neighbor as yourself
Psalm
15 The blameless shows respect and does
no wrong to brother and neighbor
John
15:12-17 Love one another as I have
loved you
1
John 3:11, 14-18 We ought to lay down
our lives for the brethren
Commentary:
Love of the brethren and living together
in Christian community is a sheer gift and
grace of God won for us by Christ who shed
his blood for us on the cross. Without
Christ we are weak, powerless, and subject
to our own sinful inclinations, bad
attitudes, and hurtful speech and behavior.
Being united with Christ enables us to love
and serve one another with compassion and
meekness and to reject and put to death
whatever is sinful and contrary to his law
of love. Paul the Apostle writes, “Be
kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, as God in Christ
forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Unless
brotherly love, tenderhearted care and
concern for one another is exercised daily,
we can easily drift into putting our own
interests and concerns ahead of our
brother’s and sister’s welfare and concerns.
The more we put on love the stronger we grow
as a people who love no matter the
circumstances and trials that may come our
way. And when we sin and fail to love, the
surest and quickest way to repair and heal a
broken relationship is through repentance,
asking and giving forgiveness, showing
kindness, mercy, and forbearance towards one
another.
Let
us pray fervently that the love of Christ
may grow in us and that we may excel in
showing honor, fraternal love and care for
all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Questions for
reflection:
What did Jesus mean when he said to
his disciples “love one another as I have
loved you” (John 15:12)? What did it
personally cost Jesus to love his
disciples? And what price does he expect
his followers to pay in laying down their
lives for one another? And what are the
rewards of such priceless love?
Christian
love entails full commitment, self-denial,
sacrifice, and the willingness to lay down
our lives for one another. Where is the
Lord calling me to lay down my life for my
brothers and sisters in Christ?
Christian
love is other focused – it puts the
interests of others and concern for their
welfare first. Where do I need to die to
self for the love of Christ to grow in me
and turn me outward in serving others?
Where
do Christians find the power to love as
God loves? Christian love is rooted in
God’s love and its source of power is the
Holy Spirit who dwells in us (Romans 5:5).
Earnestly
pray that God will renew his people
through the purifying action of the Holy
Spirit and make them one through the power
of his love.
Prayer on behalf
of the whole people of God:
Lord
Jesus, you said that everyone will know that
we are your disciples if there is love among
us. Strengthened by your grace, may we work
tirelessly for the visible unity of your
church, so that the Good News that we are
called to proclaim will be seen in all our
words and deeds. Amen.
--------------------------------------------- Prayer
for the Lord’s Day
This prayer may be
used after the blessing of the Wine, like
the other seasonal variations in the
Lord's Day 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.
Additional
Reading:
Back
to My Roots
by Rami Abou Haidar
I was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church as
an infant, following my family’s tradition. As
a young student I attended a Catholic school
and I regularly attended their liturgy on
Sundays and on special seasons. Yet in all
that time, I never participated in a Greek
Orthodox liturgy.
When I joined the People of God, an ecumenical
Christian community in Lebanon [composed of
Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant members, I
began a journey of discovering with my
Orthodox roots. Ecumenism is one of the core
pillars of our common identity in the People
of God community, along with the importance of
being faithful members of our respective
churches and Christian traditions. But at that
time I did not have the understanding nor the
courage to return to my Christian origins.
Until one day, while leading a household of
university Christian men, I was challenged and
encouraged by one of the community leaders to
discover my original church roots. Looking
back now, I am certain that his advice was
inspired by the Holy Spirit. His words touched
my heart and soul in a remarkable way, and
enflamed my heart with a zeal and passion to
discover what I had been missing for years.
So, the following Sunday, I started to attend
Divine Liturgy at a nearby Greek Orthodox
Church. Although everything seemed different,
I knew I was home. At the beginning, I put a
lot of effort into understanding the prayers,
reading different books, and asking many
brothers for guidance. Little by little, and
with each Sunday, a love towards my Church
grew. Each word in the liturgy began to touch
my heart, mind and soul. I grew to discover
the Lord’s work in a new, marvelous way!
Contemplating this experience, I can assert
that it has led me to a deeper understanding
of ecumenism. I see more clearly how our
faithfulness to our individual churches and
traditions fortifies our collective unity. I
now recognize the work of the Holy Spirit to
draw us together, discern the richness that
lies both within my Church and within other
Churches, and praise the Lord for his stunning
work of bringing us together. Indeed, I now
see better than ever how the Lord’s work in
our community is a contribution to the life of
all his Churches.
[Rami Abou Haidar lives and
serves as a leader in the People of God
community in Beirut, Lebanon]
Sunday,
January 21, 2018
Through love we freely choose to be
servants of one another (Galatians
5:13)
Psalm
105:16-45 God worked through Joseph and
Moses - his servants – to restore his
people
Isaiah
52:1-4 Behold, my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights
Matthew
20:25-28 Jesus came not to be served but
to serve, and to give his life as a
ransom for many
Philippians
2:1-11 Let each of you look not to your
own interests, but to the interests of
others
Galatians
5:1, 13-15, 25-26 Through love be
servants of one another and live in
unity together
Commentary:
What is the sure path and motivating force that
leads to Christian unity and fruitful mission?
On the eve of his sacrifice Jesus took a towel
and basin of water and began to wash his
disciple’s feet and then he gave them a new
command: love one another as I have loved you.
By this all will know that you are my disciples
if you have love for one another (John
13:34-35).
The Lord Jesus said that he came not to be
served but to serve and to give his life as a
ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). Jesus was King
by right, but Servant by choice. Through
meekness, humility, and compassionate love Jesus
chose to lay down his life for us - to set us
free to love and serve one another (Galatians
5:13). This is the one true path to
reconciliation, peace, and unity with all who
belong to Christ. And this is the driving force
that led the disciples to go and make disciples
of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
The distinctive hallmark and trait of every
follower and disciple of Jesus Christ is love –
a love that is wholly directed to the good of
others – a love that is Christ-centered and
ready to forgive and forget past injuries, to
heal and restore rather than inflict revenge and
injury. The cross of Jesus is the only way to
pardon, reconciliation, and peace. Every other
way will fail or fall short of the glory and
victory which Jesus Christ has won for us
through his death and resurrection. The love of
Christ is not only a promise but a present gift
and reality for all who are filled with the Holy
Spirit. Paul the Apostle tells us that God's
love has been poured into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans
5:5).
If we embrace his love and truth and allow the
Holy Spirit to purify and transform our hearts
and minds, then we will find the inner freedom,
joy, and strength we need to love without
measure, to forgive without limit, and to serve
without reward - save that of knowing we are
serving the One who unites us in an unbreakable
bond of peace and joy forever.
Questions for
reflection:
Whose kingdom do you serve? And who
sits on the throne of your heart? There is
only one King and Ruler who is the Lord of
All. The Father in heaven sent his one and
only Son as the promised Messiah and
Savior of the world. Does the Lord Jesus
take first place and precedence in your
life?
How
did the Lord Jesus accomplish the mission
he was sent to do? Jesus willingly obeyed
and served his Father. Jesus told his
disciples that he came not to be served
but to serve and give his life as a ransom
for many (Matthew 20:28). He willingly
laid down his life to set us free from
slavery to sin and Satan and his kingdom
of darkness.
Paul
the Apostle tells us that Jesus “took the
form of a servant” and “humbled himself
and became obedient unto death, even death
on a cross” (Philippians 2:7-8). We are
called to take on the same mind and
attitude which was in Christ.
Christ
has set us free to walk in love, humility,
and Christian servanthood. Paul the
Apostle writes, For you were called to
freedom brethren, only do not use your
freedom as an opportunity for the flesh,
but through love be servants of one
another (Galatians 5:1,13). Are you
willing to serve as Jesus served and to
lay down your life for his sake and for
the good of your brothers and sisters in
Christ?
Prayer on behalf
of the whole people of God:
Lord
our 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 love as you love, serve as you
serve, and forgive as you forgive. May we
love and serve one another in the unity of
God our Father, the only begotten Son, our
Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit who
is the Giver of Life.
Monday,
January 22, 2018
Through love we embrace all baptized
Christians as our brothers and
sisters in Christ (Ephesians
2:14,16)
Psalm
133 How good and pleasant it is when
brethren dwell in unity
John
1:12-13 To all who believed in his name,
he gave power to become children of God
Luke
10:25-37 True love of neighbor – the
Parable of the Good Samaritan
Ephesians
2:14-22 Christ has broken down the
dividing wall of hostility and has
reconciled us to God in one body through
the cross
Commentary:
The
Lord wants our love to be as expansive and
wide as his love is for each of us
–individually and corporately as well –
since he is our Head and we are members of
his body whom he has redeemed and cleansed
through the blood he shed for us on the
cross. All who are baptized into
Christ share the same call and mission to
live as his disciples, to love one another
as brothers and sisters in Christ, and to
witness together that he is Lord of all and
Savior of all who believe in him.
Today
we witness an ecumenism of blood as
Christians around the world face
unprecedented persecution, violence and
martyrdom – not because they are Orthodox,
Catholic, Protestant, or another
denomination – but because they bear the
name of Christ.
The
Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit
that all who are baptized into Christ are
our brothers and sisters. This is the basis
for our common witness and common mission to
proclaim Jesus is Lord. And this is the
reason we love and honor one another as our
brothers and sisters in Christ.
Questions for
reflection:
Do you recognize all baptized
Christians as your brothers and sisters in
Christ? Ask the Lord Jesus to open your
eyes and to widen your heart to love,
serve, and respect all who bear the name
of Christ.
Do
you speak with respect and ecumenical
courtesy towards Christians from other
traditions and denominations?
Do
your look for and support common
ecumenical opportunities to pray together,
read the Scriptures, and do common mission
– especially to spread the Gospel and
bring others to Christ?
Prayer on
behalf of the whole people
of God:
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.
Additional
Reading:
Living
Our Ecumenical Call
by Mary Rose Jordan
I don’t like the smell of hard boiled eggs. I
don’t think they would be the preferred lunch
choice of very many middle school students. But,
there I was, 12 years old, with my 2 hard-boiled
eggs and lentil soup for lunch. I didn’t like
Lent. I didn’t like having to get out my
sulfuric smelling snack and endure the stares
and turned up noses of my classmates. My saving
grace though, was Elissa- my best friend and
fellow hard-boiled egg unenthusiast. We were
both growing up in Community together and
although she was Baptist and I was Roman
Catholic, our families had the same Lenten
practices. Because we had each other, we
embraced the 40 days of smelly lunches while we
proudly told our classmates of the cool
‘gatherings’ our families attended and the
different youth group we were in. My friendship
with Elissa is one of the greatest treasures of
my childhood.
Fast forward almost 20 years. I still am not a
fan of hard boiled eggs. I do, however, realize
the gift it was to have a friend who shared the
same spiritual practices. It was an especially
significant blessing considering our
denominational differences. That friendship set
a precedent in my life: I learned to be open to
and appreciate friendships with people from
other denominations, I learned that what I had
in common with them outweighed the differences,
I learned that other denominations had strengths
that I could learn from, I learned that the
ecumenical life we have in the Sword of the
Spirit is unique and challenging and worth
striving for.
In a time when our culture, even within
Christianity, seems incredibly divided and
focused on differences, I am overwhelmed with
gratitude because I have grown up in an
ecumenical environment. From a young age I have
experienced the richness of ecumenism and have
been blessed to have many relationships with
brothers and sisters from other denominations
that have played a significant role in my walk
with Christ. The common way of life and shared
spirituality I was a part of in my home
community have given me a common witness along
with my brothers and sisters, regardless of our
denominational, racial or political backgrounds.
Our ecumenical witness is amazing and fills my
heart with joy at the goodness of our Lord and
his provision for us. Our friendship with each
other, in my eyes at least, is a small taste of
heaven.
[Mary Rose Jordan lives in the
Community of the Risen Christ in Glasgow,
Scotland. She is the executive director for
The Lovely Commission, a website encouraging
young women to follow the Lord.]
Tuesday,
January 23, 2018
Through love we pursue common
witness and mission for the Lord
together (Nehemiah
2:18)
Nehemiah
2:17-18 and 6:15-16 “Let us rise up and
build.” So, they strengthened their
hands for the good work.
Psalm
145:10-21 They shall speak the glory of
your kingdom and tell of your power
Mark
16:15-20 They went forth and preached
everywhere, while the Lord worked with
them and confirmed the message by the
signs that attended it
Acts
2:43-47 All who believed were together
and the Lord added to their number day
by day
Commentary:
[excerpt in quotes from The
Gift of Salvation: A Statement by
Evangelicals and Catholics Together,
January 1988]
What unites us is greater than what divides us.
We believe that the Lord is calling for greater
witness and mission together for the sake of the
Gospel and Christ’s command to make disciples of
all nations.
“We confess together one God, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit; we confess Jesus
Christ the Incarnate Son of God; we affirm the
binding authority of Holy Scripture, God’s
inspired Word; and we acknowledge the Apostles’
and Nicene creeds as faithful witnesses to that
Word.
“The effectiveness of our witness for Christ
depends upon the work of the Holy Spirit, who
calls and empowers us to confess together the
meaning of the salvation promised and
accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Through
prayer and study of Holy Scripture, and aided by
the Church’s reflection on the sacred text from
earliest times, we have found that,
notwithstanding some persistent and serious
differences, we can together bear witness to the
gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. To this
saving gift we now testify, speaking not for,
but from and to, our several communities.
“As believers we are sent into the world and
commissioned to be bearers of the good news, to
serve one another in love, to do good to all,
and to evangelize everyone everywhere. It is our
responsibility and firm resolve to bring to the
whole world the tidings of God’s love and of the
salvation accomplished in our crucified, risen,
and returning Lord. Many are in grave peril of
being eternally lost because they do not know
the way to salvation.
“In obedience to the Great Commission of our
Lord, we commit ourselves to evangelizing
everyone. We must share the fullness of God’s
saving truth with all, including members of our
several communities. [Whatever Church tradition
or denomination we come from we must speak the
Gospel to each other’s tradition/denomination]
Evangelicals must speak the Gospel to Catholics
and Catholics to Evangelicals, always speaking
the truth in love, so that “working hard to
maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace . . . the body of Christ may be built up
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the
knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:3,
12-13).”
Questions:
What is the basis for common witness
of the Gospel and mission together? Jesus
said, “All will know that you are my
disciples if you have love for one
another” (John 13:35). In what ways can
you and your community pray together and
witness together with Christians from
other traditions and denominations?
In
what ways can you and your community share
in the work of evangelizing and spreading
the Gospel more widely with Christians
from other traditions and denominations?
Prayer on
behalf of the whole people
of God:
God
of love and mercy, look upon our willingness
to serve you despite our spiritual poverty
and limited abilities. Fulfill the deepest
longings of our hearts to be filled with the
joy of your presence. Fill our broken hearts
with your healing love so that we may love
as you have loved us. Grant us the gift of
unity so that we may serve you together with
joy and share the good news of your
salvation with all. This we ask in the name
of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday,
January 24, 2018
Through love we humbly and fervently
pray for the Lord to reconcile and
restore all his people in the unity
of the Spirit through the bond of
peace (Ephesians
2:14 and 4:3)
Genesis
45:4-15 Joseph forgives his brothers and
restores them in a bond of peace and
unity
Psalm
126 Those who sow in tears [of mourning
and repentance] will reap with shouts of
joy
Psalm
81 When God’s people cry out to him with
repentant hearts he restores them
Ephesians
2:14 & 4:1-4 Reconciled and called
to unity of the Spirit through the bond
of peace
Matthew
26:31-35,40 Watch and pray that you may
not enter into temptation and be
scattered like sheep without a shepherd
Commentary:
Christ died for us on the cross to reconcile us
with the Father and to break down the diving
wall of hostility so that we may be joined
together in unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace (Ephesians 4:13-14). How does Christ
want us to live together in unity? Unity is
first and foremost a gift of the Holy Spirit,
but like any gift, we need to learn how to grow
in using it the way God intended. Paul lists a
set of character traits (virtues that make us
like Christ) that are essential for living
together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lowliness and meekness are companion virtues
that curb pride and self-centeredness
(preoccupation with self). Lowliness (also
called humility) enables us to see ourselves
truthfully as God sees us and to rely on God to
place us wherever he wills and with whomever he
wishes us to serve. Meekness tempers our
emotions and drives so we can channel them for
good and not for harm or wrongdoing.
Patience and forbearance enable us to persevere
in doing good for others, especially when we
meet difficulties and trials. They enable us to
bear with failure and weaknesses and bear one
another’s burdens. Love and its companion
qualities (kindness and mercy) unite these
virtues and direct them to the welfare and
service of others.
We are called to live peaceably with one
another. Peace is more than just the
absence of conflict. It is a full and right
relationship of love, mercy, and kindness
towards one another made possible through the
grace and work of the Holy Spirit who dwells
with us. Let us pray for an outpouring of the
Holy Spirit to restore the whole people of God
in the bond of peace and unity.
Questions for
reflection:
Do
you strive to live peaceably, as far as
it is possible and depends on you, with
all your brothers and sisters in Christ?
Do
you strive, with the grace and help of
the Holy Spirit, to grow in lowliness
(humility), meekness, patience,
brotherly love, and charity?
Pray
earnestly that your community and all
Christian communities may grow in love,
peace, and unity together.
Prayer on
behalf of the whole people
of God:
Heavenly
Father, grant us humility to hear your
voice, to receive your call, and to
cooperate with your work of restoring all
your people to the unity you desire. Where
division and our sin has left us with hearts
of stone, may the fire of your Holy Spirit
inflame our hearts and inspire us with the
vision of being one in Christ, as he is one
with you, so that the world may believe that
you have sent him. This we ask in Jesus’
name. Amen.
Additional
Reading:
Good
Soil and Open Doors
by Miguel Vargas
Latin America is not the most fertile
soil to work for Christian unity. The
historical background is grim and can be
painful in many ways. Many good Christians
have resentment against Christians of other
traditions around them. There is, however,
also much hope and opportunities where we
see growth in ecumenism.
Starting in 2008, in the context of our
Summer Mission Program, we began giving a
talk on ecumenism to pass on more vision to
the youth coming from communities that have
only one Christian tradition. In 2012 this
evolved into a four-session course that we
would teach every summer to groups of young
people gathered together from Central
America. My main experience talking to young
people from all-Catholic communities was
finding a big lack of information but at the
same time a significant desire to make a
change in their hearts and work towards
Christian unity.
Many of these young people had never heard
about the painful stories of division in the
Body of Christ. Neither had they ever heard
about the important steps towards unity that
many Christians have taken in the past 150
years. However, as we call them on to
understand and embrace the reality of
historical division and to be convicted
about the importance of working for
Christian unity, I was struck by the great
desire and openness they have to foster
Christian unity even in contexts that are
hostile towards ecumenism. The mission and
way of life of our communities provide an
excellent context for our youth to promote
Christian unity as we evangelize and work
for the needy.
Another experience I’ve had in recent years
is working alongside my father teaching the
same ecumenism course in the Central
Seminary in San José. We give future priests
four lectures about unity and provide
opportunities to spend time with leaders of
other Christian traditions including an
Anglican Bishop, an Orthodox priest and an
Evangelical Pastor. This is a very
significant experience for future Catholic
priests in Costa Rica but also for the
leaders of these other traditions as it
opens friendly channels of dialogue and
fellowship.
We can feel a limitation from our contexts
and feel like we don’t have much to
contribute to ecumenism. However, we can ask
the Lord to open unexpected doors to us and
to give us the grace to enter then so that
we can keep building unity in the Body of
Christ. [Miguel Vargas is a member of the
Servants of the Word. He lives in “Arbol
de Vida” community in San Jose, Costa Rica
and serves in mission to young people
throughout Central America.]
Thursday
January 25, 2018
Through love we call upon the Holy
Spirit for renewed zeal and a fresh
outpouring of grace for living
together in unity and in pursuing
common mission (Ephesians
4:15-16)
Haggai1:4-8
and 2:4-5 Take courage and rebuild my
house – My Spirit will be with you”
Psalm
104:30-35 Send forth your Spirit and
renew the face of the earth
Ephesians
4:1-7, 15-16 Called to one body, one
Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism
John
17:20-26 Jesus prays for all Christians
to be one as the Father and the Son are
one
Commentary:
[excerpt from Raniero
Cantalemessa, Rome Ecumenical Gathering,
May 2017]
“The
Apostle Paul tells us that love is the only
‘debt’ that we have toward others (Romans
13:8). We can love each other because what
already unites us is infinitely more
important than what divides us. What unites
us is the same faith in God the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit; the Lord Jesus, true God
and true man; the shared hope of eternal
life; the common commitment to
evangelization; the shared love for the body
of Christ, the Church.
“Another
important thing also unites us: the shared
suffering and shared martyrdom for Christ.
In so many parts of the world, believers
from different churches are sharing the same
sufferings and enduring the same martyrdom
for Christ. They are not being persecuted
and killed because they are Catholic, or
Anglicans, or Pentecostals or from some
other denomination, but because they are
‘Christians.’ In the eyes of the world we
are already one single group, and it is a
shame if we are not also that in reality.
“The
prophet Haggai has an oracle that seems to
be written for us in this moment of history.
The people of Israel had just returned from
exile, but rather than rebuilding the house
of God together, each of them was building
and adorning their own houses. God thus
sends his prophet with a message of reproof:
‘Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in
your paneled houses, while this house lies
in ruins? …Go up to the hills and bring wood
and build the house, that I may take
pleasure in it and that I may appear in my
glory, says the Lord’ (Haggai1:4-8).
“We
need to hear how this same reproof from God
might be addressed to us and to repent.
Those who listened to Peter’s discourse on
the day of Pentecost ‘were cut to the heart,
and said to Peter and the rest of the
apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ And
Peter said to them, ‘Repent, ... and you
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’
(Acts 2:37-38). A renewed outpouring of the
Holy Spirit will not be possible without a
collective movement of repentance on the
part of all Christians.
“After
the people of Israel set about rebuilding
the temple of God, the prophet Haggai was
once again sent to the people, but this time
with a message of encouragement and
consolation: ‘Now take courage, O
Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O
Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest;
take courage, all you people of the land,
says the LORD; work, for I am with you. My
Spirit abides among you; fear not’ (Haggai
2:4-5).
“That
same word of consolation is now addressed to
us Christians, not just as a biblical
citation but as the living and efficacious
word of God that is bringing about here and
now what it signifies: ‘Take courage, all
you people of God, and work because I am
with you, says the Lord! My Spirit will be
with you.’”
Questions for
reflection:
Do you believe in the power of
repentance and forgiveness to bring
healing, restoration, and blessing? Daniel
faithfully prayed three times a day and he
interceded on behalf of his people for 70
years during Israel’s exile (Daniel 9:2).
God heard his prayers and many exiles
returned to restore Jerusalem and worship
in the Temple.
God
is pouring out his Spirit today to heal,
restore, and renew his people in love,
unity, and power for new mission and
evangelization. Will you commit to pray
and fast like Daniel for God to renew the
hearts of his people and to restore what
has been lost?
Do
you believe the Lord is opening new doors
for mission and evangelization in your
city, your country, and throughout the
world? Pray for God to raise up new
generations of people to spread the Gospel
in the power of the Spirit and to make
disciples in every city and nation on the
face of the earth.
Do
you believe that God is equipping you with
spiritual power to be a bridge builder,
peacemaker, and his ambassador on a
mission of reconciliation and peace? With
God all things are possible. Trust him,
obey him, and let him use you and your
community for the advancement of his
kingdom. To him be the glory and the power
and the kingdom now and forever.
Prayer on
behalf of the whole people
of God:
God
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may you give to all Christians, and
especially to those entrusted with
leadership in your church, the spirit of
wisdom and revelation, so that with the eyes
of our hearts we may see the hope to which
you have called us: one body and one Spirit,
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God
and Father of all, who is above and through
all and in all. Amen.
[photo
above: Sword of the Spirit
communities in North America hold an
annual conference for worship and
teaching]
