Christians and the truth
that will (re)-unite them
January 29, 2010
Although it has been a few days since the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, one must point out the obvious: Benedict XVI's efforts for Christian unity are serious.
These are no courteous accessories meant to show that he is not in conflict with others. Nor is it a question of
bon ton - correct behavior or right attitude - towards other Churches.
For Papa Ratzinger, the fact that the disciples of Jesus should commit themselves to proceeding on a common front is of crucial importance to the future of the world.
And so, in the General Audience last January 20, he made it clear that Christian reunification will not happen by itself and with merely human means. That it is not a question of making agreements, nor of behaving so that we are not stepping on each other, but
"a process of purification in which the Lord makes us capable of being united".
The ecumenical objective does not have to do with applying political correctness to the relations among the churches and ecclesial communities who believe in Christ, but rather with placing Christian faith at the center.
Because what else can make Christians ready to overcome human logic and historical crystallizations if not trust in the Truth that comes from one Master?
Christian unity is not just an inter-Christian issue - it is a sign to the world. It is not by chance that from his very first homily as Pope, Benedict XVI has coupled the theme of Christian unity to the wider task of the Church to "win men over to the Gospel".
In the face of a world that is mired between relativism which renounces truth, and fanaticism which would impose it rather than seek it, Christians committed to their unity should manifest a different perspective: that truth, when you seek it with trust, has the power to change your life.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 28/01/2010 20:58]