This week, the service was prepared by the brothers and sisters of the Chemin Neuf Community in Brazil.
Reflection text
Jesus, the light that heals our vision
Letter from Pastor Rogério Alves de Carvalho to the Community of the Chemin Neuf for the Office for Unity
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light” (Matthew 6:22).
In a very simple way, the mechanism of vision occurs when light reflected from objects passes through the cornea, pupil and lens to reach the retina, where specialized cells encode the image and the optic nerve transmits the stimulus to the brain. The pupil functions like the diaphragm of a camera, controlling the entry of light depending on the environment.
Jesus teaches us through accessible language, comparing the eyes to the window of a house: “The eye is the lamp of the body.” The quality of light that enters a home depends on the condition of the window. The same is true of the light that penetrates the heart and soul: it depends on the spiritual state of our eyes.
We learn with Jesus that if our eyes are evil, our whole body will be in darkness. A distorted vision prevents us from seeing God, His goodness, who we are and where we are walking. When the light within us does not illuminate properly, everything becomes confused and fragmented.
When our vision is healed by Christ, we cease to see in a divided way: we begin to look clearly not only at God, but also at our neighbour. Lack of unity is often born of distorted vision—hasty judgments, pride, lack of love and understanding. But when the light of Jesus illuminates our eyes, it also aligns our heart with the heart of God.
True unity is not just about being together, but about looking together—with eyes illuminated by truth. It is to see the other with grace, it is to understand the common plan, it is to walk in the same direction.
The remedy for this distorted vision is the Light, which is Jesus himself. He opens our eyes and illuminates our whole being, thus restoring our relationships and leading us to unity. That is why we pray with the psalmist: “Open my eyes, that I may behold the wonders of your law.” (Psalm 119/118:18)
Intercessions
To be adapted or modified according to the place and the circumstances
Lord, in this election year in Brazil, in the midst of tensions, divisions and polarisation, teach us to seek what unites rather than what separates; Grant that our community may remain a sign of communion and fraternity.We pray to you, Lord: grant that we may seek and find your unity and peace.
Lord, we entrust to you the Central Church of Belo Horizonte, with which our Community maintains bonds of friendship and communion; bless in a special way the couple from this Church who are living a journey of discernment with us as well as the pastors who support and teach us. Grant that this Church may seek and find God in all things.We pray to you, Lord: grant that we may seek and find your unity and peace.
Lord, we entrust to you the evangelical churches of our neighborhood, especially the fraternal bonds with the parish and with the pastors who work for the proclamation of the Gospel; Grow mutual esteem, trust and the desire to walk together.We pray to you, Lord: grant that we may seek and find your unity and peace.
Lord, we pray for all the places in the world marked by war, violence and hatred; Raise up women and men of justice, peace and concord, capable of opening paths of reconciliation between peoples.We pray to you, Lord: grant that we may seek and find your unity and peace.
Prayer for Christian unity
Lord Jesus, who prayed that we might all be one,
we pray to you for the unity of Christians,
according to your will,
according to your means.
May your Spirit enable us
to experience the suffering caused by division,
to see our sin
and to hope beyond all hope.
Amen!
(Prayer written by members of the Chemin Neuf Community
inspired by a prayer of Father Paul Couturier)