杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis began his address to the Ecumenical Delegation from Finland with a reflection on the Magi, the Wise Men of the Gospel who found the Child Jesus and worshipped Him.

鈥淭he Magi reached the goal because they sought it,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said. 鈥淵et they sought it because the Lord, by the sign of the star, had first set out in search of them.鈥� Like the Magi, we too are sought by God, 鈥渁nd our response must surely be like that of the Magi: a journey together.鈥�

Journeying together

The Holy Father insisted, 鈥淭hose who are touched by God鈥檚 grace cannot turn in on themselves and live only for themselves; they are always on the march, always driven to go forward 鈥� and to go forward together.鈥�

Again, like the Magi, whom tradition represents as representatives of diverse cultures and peoples, Christians today are 鈥渃hallenged to take our brothers and sisters by the hand鈥� and move forward together.鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged Christians to help one another advance 鈥渆ver closer to God.鈥�

In this journey together, the 杏MAP导航 noted that some stages are easier, allowing us to 鈥渁dvance rapidly with perseverance.鈥� He gave the example of works of charity, which draw us closer not only to the poor and needy but also to one another.

On the other hand, the journey toward full unity is sometimes more difficult, which 鈥渃an lead to a certain weariness and temptation to discouragement.

The 杏MAP导航 encouraged Christians to remind themselves 鈥渢hat we are making this journey not as those who already possess God, but as those who continue to seek Him.鈥� He called for courage and patience along the way, in order to encourage and support one another.

杏MAP导航 Francis with the Ecumenical Delegation from Finland

Two important moments

杏MAP导航 Francis pointed to two upcoming anniversaries as 鈥渋mportant moments鈥� in the ongoing journey towards Christian unity: the 1700th anniversary, in 2025, of the Council of Nicea; and the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Augsburg confession.

The 杏MAP导航 noted that the 鈥淭rinitarian and Christological confession鈥� of Nicea unites all the baptized, and he encouraged all Christians to renew their enthusiasm for following Christ. 鈥淔or it is Christ,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渨hom the men and women of every time, including our own, are seeking, however unconsciously.鈥�

The Augsburg Confession, on the other hand, was produced at a time 鈥渨hen Christians were about to set out on different paths鈥� during the time known as the Protestant Reformation.

The Confession was an attempt to preserve unity, the 杏MAP导航 noted, although it did not succeed in preventing division. However, he said, the upcoming anniversary 鈥渃an serve as a fruitful occasion to encourage and confirm us on our journey of communion, so that we can become more docile to God鈥檚 will, and less beholden to human strategies; more disposed to follow the route pointed out by Heaven than to pursue worldly aims.鈥�

Dreams for indigenous peoples

杏MAP导航 Francis also thanked Bishop Jukka Keskitalo, of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, for having taken up his dream for Amazonia in relation to the indigenous peoples of Finland.

鈥淚t occurs to me,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渢hat a pastor must be concrete with concrete people, but that he must not allow himself to stop dreaming. Thank you for dreaming.鈥�

When will we achieve unity

Finally, the Holy Father asked, 鈥淲hen will unity be achieved?鈥� He recalled the remark of a 鈥済reat Orthodox theologian鈥� who said that 鈥淯nity will be in the eschaton鈥� 鈥� that is, not until the final consummation of time.

Nonetheless, the 杏MAP导航 insisted, 鈥渢he path to unity is important.鈥� While the work of theologians and specialists is necessary and good, he said, 鈥渋t is also good that we, God鈥檚 faithful people, go on the journey together.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis invited Christians to continue to journey together 鈥渋n seeking God boldly and in concrete ways鈥� and to 鈥渒eep our gaze ever fixed on Christ,鈥� while remaining 鈥渃lose to one another in prayer.鈥� The 杏MAP导航 concluded his address by leading those present in praying together the Our Father.

Keeping our gaze fixed on Christ

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis invited Christians to continue to journey together 鈥渋n seeking God boldly and in concrete ways鈥� and to 鈥渒eep our gaze ever fixed on Christ,鈥� while remaining 鈥渃lose to one another in prayer.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 concluded his address by leading those present in praying together the Our Father.

Group photo of 杏MAP导航 Francis with the Ecumenical Delegation from Finland