Thursday of fifth week in Lent 2017
Joy of the Gospel
Today we look at the person and commitment of Abraham, whom the Liturgy calls “our father in faith.” Genesis records the fundamental promise that the Jews–and Christians–hold dear. And it’s not the land of Canaan, or Palestine, over which millions of lives have been spent and many wasted over four thousand or more years. It’s the promise that the One God would be Our God, if we would be His people. It’s the covenant of God and His Church that we renew every time we come together and celebrate Mass, or this shadow of the Mass we call a communion service. Because the New Covenant is a compact between God and man that is sealed by the body and blood of the Son of God, Jesus our Lord. When Jesus says that Abraham rejoiced to see His day, He meant proximately that Isaac, Abraham’s son, was the physical fulfillment of a promise of posterity to an old man and woman. But since Abraham didn’t really die, he must have witnessed the Incarnation from a privileged position as the ancestor of the Messiah. And so Abraham is the father of the Jews and of all Christians, whether Catholic, Orthodox or any other flavor of human who believes in the Trinity.
The Holy Father, speaking of the dialogue with human society, now turns to our relationship with other Christians: ‘Commitment to ecumenism responds to the prayer of the Lord Jesus that “they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). The credibility of the Christian message would be much greater if Christians could overcome their divisions and the Church could realize “the fullness of catholicity proper to her in those of her children who, though joined to her by baptism, are yet separated from full communion with her”. We must never forget that we are pilgrims journeying alongside one another. This means that we must have sincere trust in our fellow pilgrims, putting aside all suspicion or mistrust, and turn our gaze to what we are all seeking: the radiant peace of God’s face. Trusting others is an art and peace is an art. Jesus told us: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Mt 5:9). In taking up this task, also among ourselves, we fulfil the ancient prophecy: “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares” (Is 2:4).
‘In this perspective, ecumenism can be seen as a contribution to the unity of the human family. At the Synod, the presence of the Patriarch of Constantinople, His Holiness Bartholomaios I, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace Rowan Williams, was a true gift from God and a precious Christian witness.
‘Given the seriousness of the counter-witness of division among Christians, particularly in Asia and Africa, the search for paths to unity becomes all the more urgent. Missionaries on those continents often mention the criticisms, complaints and ridicule to which the scandal of divided Christians gives rise. If we concentrate on the convictions we share, and if we keep in mind the principle of the hierarchy of truths, we will be able to progress decidedly towards common expressions of proclamation, service and witness. The immense numbers of people who have not received the Gospel of Jesus Christ cannot leave us indifferent. Consequently, commitment to a unity which helps them to accept Jesus Christ can no longer be a matter of mere diplomacy or forced compliance, but rather an indispensable path to evangelization. Signs of division between Christians in countries ravaged by violence add further causes of conflict on the part of those who should instead be a leaven of peace. How many important things unite us! If we really believe in the abundantly free working of the Holy Spirit, we can learn so much from one another! It is not just about being better informed about others, but rather about reaping what the Spirit has sown in them, which is also meant to be a gift for us. To give but one example, in the dialogue with our Orthodox brothers and sisters, we Catholics have the opportunity to learn more about the meaning of episcopal collegiality and their experience of synodality. Through an exchange of gifts, the Spirit can lead us ever more fully into truth and goodness.’
Five hundred years split from those who are still protesting. What a scandal! Almost a thousand years split from the Eastern Orthodox. We cannot keep fighting, particularly when the real battle is with secular humanism, and the other one is with radical Islam. Our witness must be positive–we hold fast to what we know is true, and treat those who don’t share those views with charity and patience. And pray, pray, always pray for true unity to be restored.
