Ecumenical work requires humility, faithfulness, Pope tells Finnish Lutheran pilgrims
CWN - January 17, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI met on January 17 with a delegation from the Lutheran Church of Finland, which was visiting Rome on an annual pilgrimage for the feast of their patron, St. Henry of Uppsala.
Citing the words of the prophet Micah, the Pope said that the duties of all Christians are to "do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God." He continued:
Walking humbly in the presence of the Lord, in obedience to his saving word and with trust in his gracious plan, serves as an eloquent image not only of the life of faith, but also of our ecumenical journey on the path towards the full and visible unity of all Christians. On this path of discipleship, we are called to advance together along the narrow road of fidelity to God's sovereign will in facing whatever difficulties or obstacles we may eventually encounter.
Calling attention to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which begins January 18, the Pope said that ecumenical work "demands demands that we become ever more united in prayer, ever more committed to the pursuit of holiness, and ever more engaged in the areas of theological research and cooperation in the service of a just and fraternal society."
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