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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus
Message
On Ecumenism
"Unity Comes About Especially by Praying"
H.H. Benedict XVI
January 21, 2007
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This Sunday is situated during the Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity that, as we know, is observed every year in our hemisphere
Jan. 18-25. The theme for 2007 is an expression taken from Mark's
Gospel, and it refers to the people's amazement over Jesus' cure of
a man who could not hear or speak: "He even makes the deaf hear and
the mute speak" (Mark 7:37).
I intend to comment at greater length on this biblical topic next
Jan. 25, feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, when, on the occasion
of the closing of the week of prayer, I will preside at 5:30 p.m.
over the celebration of vespers in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside
the Walls. I expect many of you at that liturgical meeting, given
that unity comes about especially by praying, and the more unanimous
the prayer, the more pleasing it is to the Lord.
This year, the initial draft for the week, adapted later by the
Mixed International Commission, was prepared by the faithful of
Umlazi, in South Africa, a very poor city where AIDS has acquired
pandemic proportions and where human hopes are very few.
But the risen Christ is hope for all. He is so especially for
Christians. Heirs of division that occurred in past times, in this
circumstance they have wanted to launch an appeal: Christ can do
all. He "makes the deaf hear and the mute speak"; that is, he is
able to infuse in Christians the ardent desire to listen to the
other, to communicate with the other, and to speak with him the
language of mutual love.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity thus reminds us that
ecumenism is a profound dialogic experience, a mutual listening and
speaking, knowing one another better. It is a task that all can
undertake, especially in regard to spiritual ecumenism, based on
prayer and on sharing what is possible for the time being among
Christians.
I hope that the longing for unity, translated into prayer and
fraternal collaboration to relieve human sufferings, will spread
ever more at the level of parishes and ecclesial movements and among
religious institutes.
I take advantage of the occasion to thank the Ecumenical Commission
of the Vicariate of Rome and the city's parish priests, who
encourage the faithful to observe this week. Also, in a more general
way, I am grateful to all those, in all parts of the world, who pray
and work for union with conviction and constancy.
May Mary, Mother of the Church, help all the faithful to let
themselves be opened ever more profoundly by Christ to mutual
communication in charity and in truth, to be transformed in him into
only one heart and soul (Acts 4:32).
[Translation by ZENIT]
[After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims in six
languages. In English, he said:]
I extend a warm welcome to all the English-speaking pilgrims and
visitors present at today's Angelus. May all Christians,
strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, have the courage to
share the Good News of our Lord with the poor and afflicted. Upon
you and your loved ones, I invoke the grace and peace of Christ the
Lord!
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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