This week’s service has been prepared by the brothers and sisters of the Community in Poland.
Reflection text
Spiritual Ecumenism
Conversation between Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś and the young people from the Student Chaplaincy “With the Brother” in Krakow, January 19, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXXqxxvLMoI&t=248s
Pope Francis (this is the most important answer) defined ecumenism as an exchange of spiritual gifts. This is in Evangelii Gaudium. An exchange of spiritual gifts, meaning that ecumenism is not about knowing, for example, what Lutherans believe. This is a matter that we study. It is not a question of knowing their opinions. But wanting to draw on the spiritual gifts that are present in this Church and in the people who make up this Church. This means that I am convinced that the Holy Spirit is at work in this Church.
I am curious to know what the Holy Spirit is accomplishing in this Church, because it can also edify me. Ecumenism is an exchange of spiritual gifts; it is not just about mutually understanding each other. This does not contradict the fact that, as a Catholic, I am convinced that the fullness of the Church is found in the Catholic Church. This does not mean that outside the Catholic Church there is an ecclesial void, as John Paul II said. The Church is where the Holy Spirit acts. At Mass we professed our faith and said that we believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
This means: I believe in one Church. The Church is one. Christians are divided among themselves, but the Church is one. The Holy Spirit makes us one Church, in whom we are baptized into one body. It is high time to change our perspective and become aware of what unites us, rather than starting with what divides us.
Intercessions
To be adapted or modified according to the place and circumstance
At the last European Taizé meeting in Paris, from December 28, 2025, to January 1, 2026. The next gathering was announced that it will take place in Łódź1, Poland.
Lord, we pray for all those who participated in this event in Paris. You have sown seeds in the hearts of young people; we pray that you protect these seeds in their daily lives so that they may bear fruit for your Kingdom. We also entrust to you the city and the Church of Łódź so that this gathering in 2026 may be a light in the lives of the local churches and in the life of the city.
[1]Pronounced « /wut͡ɕ/ » or « Woodj »
Ecumenism in Łódź predates the decision of the Second Vatican Council, says Cardinal Ryś, former archbishop of Łódź.
With its multicultural history, Łódź is an ecumenical city where Orthodox Christians, Protestants, Catholics, and Jews have learned to live together. For several years now, the Days of Prayer for Christian Unity have been celebrated for two to three weeks in January, as an extension of the official dates of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Lord, we entrust to you this year’s ecumenical meetings in the city of Łódź and throughout the world. Give every believer an open heart to all brothers and sisters who call upon your name and confess that you are Lord and Savior.
On December 31st, before the Te Deum at the end of the year, to praise God and give thanks, Leo XIV insisted on returning to the profound meaning of the Holy Year experienced in the Catholic Church. In addition, he already encouraged Christians to look foward to another jubilee for Christians: the Holy Year of Redemption in 2033, with the prospect of a return to Jerusalem and the hope that this event would lead to full unity.
Lord, convert our hard hearts, which lack faith, hope, and charity! Teach us to love our brothers and sisters from other churches more, to take a greater interest in other churches, while remaining rooted in our own.
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)