THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERRELIGIOUS SHARING
By Sr. Brenda Walsh, Racine Dominican
Pope Francis recently spoke at an
interreligious gathering in Rome where he stressed the importance of sharing
among people of various faith traditions. A delegation representing Christian,
Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Jain had come to the Vatican to
celebrate the inauguration of Pope Francis. The Pope stressed the importance of
engaging in exchange of ideas and promoting friendship and respect among men and
women of different religious faith traditions. He also stressed the need to
keep alive our thirst for the absolute. He said too much violence has resulted
from the attempt to eliminate God and the divine from people’s lives, both
personal and social. To seek God is part of being fully human and continues to
exist in the human heart. He urged his listeners to reach out to those who are
not part of a faith community but who are searching for truth, goodness and
beauty. Such people can be our valued allies in defending human dignity, and
building a peaceful coexistence between people, and In safeguarding all
creation.
The importance of
Vatican Council !! was stressed by Pope Francis when he recalled the words of
Blessed John XX!!!, who said in the opening address at the Council: “The
Catholic Church considers it her duty to work actively for the fulfillment of
the great mystery of that unity for which Jesus Christ prayed so earnestly to
his heavenly Father, on of eve of His great sacrifice, the knowledge that she is
so intimately associated with that prayer is for her an occasion of ineffable
peace and joy.”
Pope Francis prayed that
“all would be enabled to live fully the faith graciously bestowed on them at the
time of their Baptism, and to bear witness to it freely, joyfully and
courageously. This would be the best solution we can offer for the cause of
Christian unity, a service of hope for our world still torn by divisions,
conflicts and rivalries. The more we are faithful to God’s will in our thoughts,
words and actions, the more we will progress, really and substantially toward
unity.”
Pope Francis thanked the
Pontifical Council for promoting Christian unity and for the help it continues
to provide. At the close of this gathering the Pope also expressed great
appreciation to all the representatives of various faith expressions and assured
all them of a remembrance in his prayers. He also prayed that more progress will
be made in the fraternal dialog that the Council wished to encourage and that
has already taken place in recent decades. Pope Francis reminded his listeners
that there is so much we can accomplish together for the good of the whole human
family, by creating a peaceful co-existence among people and caring for creation
for generations still to come.
We can join in prayer
that our efforts to accomplish the goals outlined by Pope Francis may bear
fruit. May each of us be willing to take the next step in working for Christian
Unity in our time and place. May the Spirit guide us in this important endeavor.
A full report on this
event is available in Origins CNS documentary Service, April 4th 2013
issue, Volume 42, Number 43 . CNS, 3211 4th St. NE, Washington, DC
20017-1100. www.originsonline.com
Preaching Essay Archive
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• Preaching Mark 2023 • • Preaching Mark 2022 • • PREACHING MATTHEW • • Even the Hymns Preach • • PREACHING IN THE BLACK CHURCH • • A PRIMER ON THEOLOGICAL THINKING • • Advent 2018 • • Preaching Luke • • The Journey Through Lent • • A New Year - A Time To Choose • • Called To Continue Our Journey As Peacemakers • • CALLED TO NAME • • CHOOSING HOPE IN TIMES OF DARKNESS AND CHALLENGE • • Easter: A Call To Renew Our Faith • • Fan Into Flame • • Grieving Our Losses • • IMAGINING A RE-EVANGELIZED CHURCH • • The Importance of Inter-Religious Sharing • • THE PROMISE OF EASTER –“ THAT ALL MAY HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT IN ABUNDANCE.” • • Are We Living In Pentecost Times? • • Living With Gratitude and Hope • • “Lumen Fidei” – the Call and the Challenge • • What is the "New Evangelization"? • • Pentecost • • PRAYER OF PREACHERS • • Inculturated Liturgy Challenges Preaching to Flower • • Preaching Lent - Year C • • Reflection - Psalm 127 • • Reaching Youth Today • • The Need To Reclaim And Live With Moral Courage • • The Sacred Triduum • • STRENGTHEN OUR HOPE TO REPAIR A BROKEN WORLD • • Welcoming the Stranger • • Working for Peace •
Blessings on your preaching.
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