Pope Receives Ecumenical Delegation from Finland

January 17, 2013: The Christmas season 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, said Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday. He was addressing an ecumenical delegation from Finland in the Vatican.

The Ecumenical Delegation makes its annual visit to Rome for the feast of Saint Henrik, the patron saint of Finland. The Pope said that ‘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?”

According to the Prophet, what the Lord requires of us: is “to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God”, said the Pope.

Walking humbly in the presence of the Lord, in obedience to his saving word and trusting 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, reflected the Pontiff.

To advance in the ways of ecumenical communion 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, added Pope Benedict.

‘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. 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, concluded the Pope.