Wednesday, March 11, 2009

"ECUMENISM HOLDS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY"
Wednesday, March 11, 2009


Notice the following lines in this unofficial translation of His Holiness, Pope Benedict's letter released today:



"The actual problem of our point in history is that God is disappearing out of humankind’s horizon and with the extinguishing of the light coming from God, the lack of direction breaks into humanity, the destructive effects of which we are seeing ever more of."


"Bringing mankind to God, the God who speaks in the Bible, is the highest and most fundamental priority of the Church and the successor of Peter in these times. That we should be occupied with the unity of the Faithful will arise from that on its own. For her quarrel, her inner disaccord — calls the speech of God into question. For that reason the struggle for a common witness of faith of Christians — for Ecumenism — holds the highest priority."



Our discord with each other "calls the speech of God into question." How true.


Brothers and sisters, how can we pursue unity and reconciliation? Where is the path toward full communion with each other? Our disunity is like an eclipse that darkens the light and love of Christ to the world. Come, let us now with all our effort and determination pursue full reconciliation in one body, with one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. The time is urgent.


"night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4)


"the love of the many will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12)

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