FORMATION
FORMATION 2000
THEME NO. 7
“Unity and the people of God”
1. Opening Prayer
(To be introduced by the leader then prayed by all present.)
Leader:
My brothers in Christ, gathered here together as sons of God and in the name of the Church, let us prepare our minds and hearts and pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the renewal of the Church and the salvation of the world.
All:
God, our heavenly Father, as we begin the new millennium, we ask you to continue, through us, the work which your Son began; to make you know to all humanity. Give us the courage to acknowledge your presence in a world where many have turned away from you.
Enlighten our minds and open our hearts to embrace all people. Enrich our lives with your love so that we may be your disciples in bringing peace, reconciliation and justice to our families, our communities and the world.
Heal the brokenness of your people: the oppressed, the abandoned, those who are cast out of their own land or rejected by others. Deepen our understanding of the Eucharist, the sacrament of love and reconciliation.
May the Spirit, who dwells within each one of us give us right judgement and show us the way to everlasting peace. We ask this through Jesus your Son and our brother. Amen.
Prayer written by Rachael Bongiorno, Catholic Secondary School student, NSW
2. The Focus
(Read by the discussion leader or member nominated by him.)
The Third Millennium is:
A time for Unity, Ecumenism and Dialogue.
One of the outstanding characteristics of Pope John Paul II's own letter on the Third Millennium was his commitment to work with other Christian Churches to overcome one of the great failures of the Second Millennium, namely, the divisions among Christians. He said: “The approaching end of the Second Millennium demands of everyone an examination of conscience and the promotion of ecumenical initiatives, so that we can celebrate the Great Jubilee, if not completely united, at least much closer to overcoming the divisions of the Second Millennium”
From "Tertio Millennio Adveniente" John Paul II # 34
Therefore, we affirm our commitment to working with other Churches through State ecumenical bodies, local ecumenical committees and through the National Council of churches in Australia. We will celebrate with other Churches this great anniversary and we will work with ecumenical bodies to prepare the actual celebrations in the year 2000 itself as is already happening nationally and on many other levels. While each Christian communion will no doubt have its own way of keeping this anniversary, we hope that all Christians could join together for this extraordinary moment of history, to acknowledge to each other and to the world our gratitude to God for the great gift of Jesus Christ.
From "The Coming of the Third Millennium" Catholic Bishops of Australia.
This reading is followed by five
minutes of silent reflection on the following:
• A response to the call of the Pope for unity among Christians, asks that we strive to understand and respect the history and practices of other Christian traditions, and be open to dialogue, both on a national and local level, about our hopes for a shared future as the People of God. This openness is also called for in relation to other world religions, such as Judaism and Islam.
3. The Word
– John 17: 20–23
(The Word of God gives us our context for reflection and action. This read by one member.)
A reading from the Gospel of John
Jesus said:
"I pray not only for them, but also for those who believe in me. I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. I gave them the same glory that you gave me, so that they may be completely one, just as you and I are one. Then the people of this world will know that you sent me. Then they will know that you love my followers as much as you love me."
For a few minutes, all silently reflect on these words of Jesus and on what they place before us.
4. The Sharing
(During this time (10 minutes) members share insights gained from reflection on the Focus and the Word of God.)
Consider particularly the following:
• What is necessary if all, as Jesus prayed, are to be one?
• What things to you see as common to all Christian traditions?
• How can we relate to Judaism and Islam in a Christian way?
5. The Action
How can we, the Knights of the Southern Cross, show openness to the ecumenical movement in our locality?
6. Closing Prayer
(Prayed by all members.)
God of the ages, your eternal Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, that we might see your glory and the glory also of your Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Grant that, by the work of the Holy Spirit, the seeds of faith, given to us by Christ may bring forth a harvest sown for your glory and for the salvation of the world.
May we always reflect your love, choosing the values of the gospel and in serving others until we come to our fulfilment in Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
