Pope Benedict addresses ecumenical delegation from Finland
Pope Benedict received in audience on Thursday an ecumenical delegation from Finland
and in his address urged Christians to walk together in humility along the path of
justice, mercy and righteousness.
Please find below the full text of the Pope's
remarks: Listen:
Your
Eminence, Your Excellencies, Dear Friends,
Once again I am happy to
welcome your Ecumenical Delegation on its annual visit to Rome for the feast of Saint
Henrik, the patron saint of Finland. It is fitting that our meeting takes place on
the eve of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, whose theme this year is drawn
from the Book of the Prophet Micah: “What does God require of us?” (cf. Mic 6:6-8). The
Prophet 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” (v. 8). The Christmas season which
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. To advance in the ways of ecumenical communion thus
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 (cf. Mic 6:8), 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” (No. 15). Dear friends, it is my hope that your 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. At the beginning of this New Year, I assure you of my closeness in prayer.
Upon all of you I cordially invoke the wisdom, grace and peace of Jesus Christ our
Redeemer.