Vatican
City, 17 January 2013
(VIS) – Today the Pope received in audience an ecumenical
delegation from the Lutheran Church of Finland during their annual
pilgrimage to Rome on the occasion of the feast of Saint Henry of
Uppsala, patron saint of Finland.
The
Holy Father once again showed his pleasure in receiving the delegates
on this traditional visit, observing that it was also fitting that
the meeting took place on the eve of the celebrations to take place
during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for this
year's ecumenical Week of Prayer, "What does God require of
us?", is taken from a passage in the book of the prophet Micah.
"The
Prophet," said the Pope, "makes clear, of course, what the
Lord requires of us. It is 'to do justice, to love kindness, and to
walk humbly with our God'. The Christmas season that we have just
celebrated reminds us that it is God who from the beginning has
walked with us and who, in the fullness of time, took flesh in order
to save us from our sins and to guide our steps in the way of
holiness, justice and peace."
"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."
Therefore,
"to advance in the ways of ecumenical communion," the
pontiff emphasized, "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. Along this way of spiritual
ecumenism, we truly walk with God and with one another in justice and
love, for, as the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
affirms: 'We are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who
renews our hearts while equipping and calling us to good works'."
The
Pope concluded his address expressing the desire that the Finnish
delegation's visit to Rome "will help to strengthen ecumenical
relations between all Christians in Finland. Let us thank God for all
that has been achieved so far and let us pray that the Spirit of
truth will guide Christ’s followers in your country towards ever
greater love and unity as they strive to live in the light of the
Gospel and to bring that light to the great moral issues facing our
societies today. By walking together in humility along the path of
justice, mercy and righteousness which the Lord has pointed out to
us, Christians will not only dwell in the truth, but also be beacons
of joy and hope to all those who are looking for a sure point of
reference in our rapidly changing world."