The thoughts and prayers below are taken from the Christian Unity Information booklet, produced by our Archdiocese. It is hoped that they will provide material for prayer both now and during the octave in January.
‘The Body of Christ
Death by crucifixion is caused by the weight of the body pulling so strongly against the immovable hands that the muscles of the rib cage become too fatigued to breathe out, and the person suffocates. A terrible death. The body pulls against itself and dies. Christ’s body, the Church, loses life when its members pull against each other. A divided church cannot heal a divided world. Christians who are not reconciled with each other cannot convincingly preach the gospel of reconciliation to a warring world.
… Catholics must know that other churches do have valid sacraments, do teach the Truth of Christ and do effectively bring Christ’s grace to our world.
… Until we have a lasting change of mind and heart about the nature of Christ’s Church, we will continue to tear apart his holy body and allow his blood to be poured out in vain’
Fr Anthony Ford
‘What does it mean to be ecumenical?
To pray regularly for the unity of the Church: as Christ wills it and when he wills it.
…. To take an active part in the careful and honest appraisal of whatever needs to be done for the renewal of one’s own church
…. To be fascinated and curious about what is different: to risk peeping out of our provincial perspectives and opening ourselves to the bigger picture.
…. To be willing to learn….Each Christian tradition has preserved better than others one or more aspects of the mystery of God’s work in Christ.
…. To be willing to work together
…. To feel the scandal of our divisions
…. To be open to God’s will for the church
…. To appreciate the important role of provisional regulations and church structures in our evolution from alienation to reconciliation: to accept that the only constant is change… to struggle against the temptation to live in a closed, same, secure system that reduces our fear and satisfies our desire for control.
…. To try to understand others as they understand themselves
…. To be alert to the presence of God and the action of the Holy Spirit in the lives of other Christians and the members of other living faiths’
Thomas Ryan
‘Not strangers but pilgrims’ prayer
Lord God, we thank you
For calling us into the company
Of those who trust in Christ and seek to obey his will.
May your Spirit guide and strengthen us
In mission and service to the world;
For we are strangers no longer
But pilgrims on the way to your Kingdom.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit of Unity
Spirit of God, we thank you.
Healer of our ills, we welcome you.
Light of our darkened minds, we need you.
Strength in our weakness we love you.
Spirit of God, console and help us.
Source of calm and peace be near us.
In our humble efforts inspire us.
In the oneness of Christ, unite us.
Spirit of God, eternal love,
The power of forgiveness, the essence of good.
Stir us to hope, and to trust and forgive,
And in Christ make us one in the harmony of love.
C J Henderson