P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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INTENTION : |
That the effort to bring about the full communion of Christians may foster reconciliation and peace among all the peoples of the earth.
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The late John Paul II called on the Catholic Church to respond to the great challenges of the contemporary world by joining forces with all those who share with the Church certain basic values, beginning with religious and moral ones. And among these challenges still to be faced is that of peace.
Many paths are still available to reach this noble goal. There are the paths of mutual knowledge, generous forgiveness, collaboration in areas of promoting essential human values and daily co-existence. It is on these paths that believers who profess a religion must face the hard work of building peace together.
Thus, inter-religious contacts and ecumenical dialogue now seem to be obligatory paths. This will also ensure that the many painful wounds inflicted over the course of centuries will not be repeated.
All believers must work for peace, above all by the personal example of their own right interior attitude, which shows outwardly in consistent action and behaviour. Serenity, balance, self-control, and acts of understanding, forgiveness and generosity have a peace making influence on people's surroundings and on the religious and civil community. To build peace together with other believers is to live in the spirit of the Gospel Beatitude "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God" (Mt. 5:9).
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