Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Day 8: Waiting for the Kingdom.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

Introduction

At the heart of our reflections for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
is the question posed by Jesus to Martha: ‘Do you believe this?’ (John 11:26).

This same question resonated throughout the deliberations of the first Ecumenical
Council, meeting in Nicaea in 325, which gathered Christian communities from
around the world to strengthen their relationships as the Church of Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on these moments we are reminded that the gift of our faith brings
both support and challenge.

This year the ecumenical celebration has been prepared by the community of Bose,
an ecumenical monastery of brothers and sisters in northern Italy. In Bose, community life
is shaped by the rhythm of regular prayer. As the bells call the sisters, brothers and guests to prayer,
they all assemble at the church.

As we celebrate 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, this material has at its heart,
the Nicene Creed.

Day 1: The fatherhood and motherhood of God who rules the universe.
Day 2: Creation as God’s work.
Day 3: The Incarnation of the Son.
Day 4: The Paschal Mystery: Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
Day 5: The Holy Spirit, breath of God.
Day 6: The Church: Community of believers.
Day 7: Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord.
Day 8: Waiting for the Kingdom.

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Day 8: Waiting for the Kingdom.

Prayer

God of hope, you promise that the poor in spirit will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Bring new life to those who trust in you.
Christ, you know the pain of division, yet in sadness you teach us the way of consolation.
Help us to remember that you are the joy that cannot be removed.
Jesus, you cast down the powerful,
promising to clothe the peacemakers with a glorious robe,
calling them the Children of God.
Make us bearers of your peace.
Christ of mercy and compassion,
you forgave the thief who died with you on a cross.
Remember us all when you come into your kingdom.

Readings:
Revelation 21:1-4
Psalm 85:8,10-12
Luke 12:35-40