Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Day 7: Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord.

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 7: Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord.

Prayer

We praise you, O Lord, and glorify your name.
For all servants of communion,
for those who pray and work for the reconciliation of churches,
for those who lay down their lives in the service of unity
we praise you, O Lord, and glorify your name.
Hasten the day, we beg you, of the full mutual recognition of our churches
that communion you desire, and for which your Son prayed.
We ask this in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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