杏MAP导航鈥檚 January prayer intention: For gift of diversity in the Church
By Devin Watkins
鈥淟et us pray that the Spirit help us recognize the gift of different charisms within the Christian communities, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions within the Catholic Church.鈥�
As the new year got underway, 杏MAP导航 Francis released a video to accompany his prayer intention for the month of January 2024, during which Christians celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, on 18-25 January.
In the video, the 杏MAP导航 urged Christians to unite our prayers to his 鈥渇or the gift of diversity in the Church,鈥� since diversity is an opportunity to 鈥渞ejoice鈥�.
He noted that diversity and unity were already present in the early Christian communities, adding that the tension brought about by diversity 鈥渉ad to be resolved on a higher level.鈥�
Gift of God for the Church
However, said the 杏MAP导航, diversity in the Church includes our brothers and sisters of different Christian confessions.
鈥淭o move forward on the journey of faith, we also need ecumenical dialogue with our brothers and sisters of other confessions and Christian communities,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is not something confusing or disturbing, but is a gift God gives to the Christian community so it might grow as one body, the Body of Christ.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis offered the example of the diversity of rites within the Eastern Churches that are in communion with Rome.
鈥淭hey have their own traditions, their own characteristic liturgical rites, yet they maintain the unity of the faith,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey strengthen it, not divide it.鈥�
United by the Holy Spirit
In conclusion, the Holy Father recalled that all Christian unity comes to us as a gift of the Holy Spirit.
鈥淚f we are guided by the Holy Spirit, abundance, variety, and diversity never cause conflict,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he Holy Spirit reminds us first and foremost that we are children loved by God 鈥� everyone equal in God鈥檚 love, and everyone different.鈥�
Cross as symbol of Christian unity in diversity
The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 Worldwide Prayer Network, which produces each month鈥檚 , released a press statement to accompany the Holy Father鈥檚 intention.
It noted that the Cross represents the common thread of this month鈥檚 video, describing it as a symbol of unity and diversity.
鈥淚t is much more than an object of devotion,鈥� read the communique. 鈥淚n short, it is the mystery of love under which all Christians stand, regardless of their confession, tradition, and rite.鈥�
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