ecumenical and interreligious prayer services introduction
ecumenical and interreligious prayer services introduction ecumenical and interreligious prayer services introduction
4. INTERIOR CONVERSION“There can be no ecumenism worthy of the name without a change of heart. For it is fromrenewal of the inner life of our minds, from self-denial and an unstinted love that desires ofunity take their rise and develop in a mature way. We should therefore pray to the Holy Spiritfor the grace to be genuinely self-denying, humble, gentle in the service of others, and to havean attitude of brotherly generosity towards them.”From Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio) #7For reflection or discussion:• Why is interior conversion central to the task of ecumenism?• What attitudes persist today among Catholics and non-Catholics regarding the ecumenicalmovement and the quest for unity?• Why does the Church state that; “This change of heart and holiness of life, along with publicand private prayer for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the wholeecumenical movement…Psalm 51Have mercy, tender God, forget that I defied you.Wash away my sin, cleanse me from my guilt.I know my evil well, it stares me in the face,evil done to you alone before your very eyes.How right your condemnation! Your verdict clearly just.You see me for what I am, a sinner before my birth.You love those centered in truth; teach me your hidden wisdom.Wash me with fresh water, wash me bright as snow.Fill me with happy songs, let the bones you bruised now dance.Shut your eyes to my sin, make my guilt disappear.Creator, reshape my heart, God, steady my spirit.Do not cast me aside stripped of your holy spirit.Save me, bring back my joy, support me, strengthen my will.Then I will teach your way and sinners will turn to you.Help me, stop my tears, and I will sing your goodness.Lord, give me words and I will shout your praise.When I offer a holocaust, the gift does not please you.So I offer my shattered spirit; a changed heart you welcome.10
Reading: Romans 12: 3-8For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highlythan one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that Godhas apportioned. For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have thesame function so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of oneanother. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercisethem: if prophesy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, inteaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others,with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.11
- Page 3: CLOSING PRAYERNOTE: TO BE USED WITH
- Page 8 and 9: 3. FIDELITY TO THE COVENANT“Every
- Page 12 and 13: 5. COMMON HERITAGE“… Catholics
- Page 14 and 15: 6. PRAYER“In certain circumstance
- Page 16 and 17: 7. SPIRIT OF GOOD WILL“We must ge
- Page 18 and 19: 8. HONEST COMMUNICATION“The way a
- Page 20 and 21: 9. COMMON UNITY IN BAPTISM“Baptis
- Page 22 and 23: 11. GOD’S UNIVERSAL LOVE“The Ca
- Page 24 and 25: 12. INTERFAITH DIALOGUE“Furthermo
4. INTERIOR CONVERSION“There can be no ecumenism worthy of the name without a change of heart. For it is fromrenewal of the inner life of our minds, from self-denial <strong>and</strong> an unstinted love that desires ofunity take their rise <strong>and</strong> develop in a mature way. We should therefore pray to the Holy Spiritfor the grace to be genuinely self-denying, humble, gentle in the service of others, <strong>and</strong> to havean attitude of brotherly generosity towards them.”From Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio) #7For reflection or discussion:• Why is interior conversion central to the task of ecumenism?• What attitudes persist today among Catholics <strong>and</strong> non-Catholics regarding the <strong>ecumenical</strong>movement <strong>and</strong> the quest for unity?• Why does the Church state that; “This change of heart <strong>and</strong> holiness of life, along with public<strong>and</strong> private <strong>prayer</strong> for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the whole<strong>ecumenical</strong> movement…Psalm 51Have mercy, tender God, forget that I defied you.Wash away my sin, cleanse me from my guilt.I know my evil well, it stares me in the face,evil done to you alone before your very eyes.How right your condemnation! Your verdict clearly just.You see me for what I am, a sinner before my birth.You love those centered in truth; teach me your hidden wisdom.Wash me with fresh water, wash me bright as snow.Fill me with happy songs, let the bones you bruised now dance.Shut your eyes to my sin, make my guilt disappear.Creator, reshape my heart, God, steady my spirit.Do not cast me aside stripped of your holy spirit.Save me, bring back my joy, support me, strengthen my will.Then I will teach your way <strong>and</strong> sinners will turn to you.Help me, stop my tears, <strong>and</strong> I will sing your goodness.Lord, give me words <strong>and</strong> I will shout your praise.When I offer a holocaust, the gift does not please you.So I offer my shattered spirit; a changed heart you welcome.10
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