杏MAP导航 praises courageous, prophetic work of ecumenical scholars
By Christopher Wells
杏MAP导航 Francis praised the work of an ecumenical group of scholars dedicated to the scriptural letters of St Paul, explaining that their 鈥済reat contribution鈥� is 鈥渢he encounter between Christians who are diverse among themselves, yet united by the wisdom of Pauline teaching.鈥�
In an address to participants of the 26th Pauline Ecumenical Colloquium, the Holy Father also emphasized the 鈥渞igourous and scholarly exegetical exchange鈥� among academics that allows 鈥渢he beauty of the Apostle鈥檚 letters and their importance for Christian and ecclesial life鈥� to emerge.
A courageous and prophetic initiative
The 杏MAP导航 described the initiative as courageous in overcoming 鈥渂arriers of defensiveness鈥�; and prophetic in promoting a 鈥渉ealthy 鈥榠mpatience of the Spirit鈥欌�� for fullness of unity and commitment to bearing witness.
鈥淚f throughout history divisions have been a source of suffering,鈥� he said, 鈥渢oday we must commit ourselves to reversing course, moving forward on the paths of unity and fraternity, which begin precisely by praying, studying, and working together.鈥�
God does not fail in His promises
Noting that Colloquium participants are focusing chapters 9-11 of St Paul鈥檚 Letter to the Romans, the 杏MAP导航 highlighted the 鈥渋rrevocable鈥� gifts and call of God described in Romans 11:29.
Here, he said, St Paul hands on to us a message of fundamental importance: "God does not fail in His promises of salvation and patiently carries them out, even through unexpected and surprising ways.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis said his support for the Colloquium鈥檚 work is based precisely on the foundation of our confidence in 鈥渢he mercy and promises of God.鈥�
While encouraging them to continue their fraternal and academic dialogue, he also invited them, 鈥渁bove all else,鈥� to allow themselves 鈥渢o be amazed by the countless spiritual resources contained in the Pauline letters, in order to offer Christian communities 鈥榥ew words鈥�, able to communicate the Father鈥檚 merciful goodness, Christ鈥檚 newness of salvation and the Spirit鈥檚 renewing hope.鈥�
He concluded with the hope that their work might foster 鈥渢he ecumenical spirit鈥� among believers, as an aid to 鈥渙ur common journey of seeking the Lord.鈥�
Read the full text of the 杏MAP导航's .
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