Without humiliating anyone, without becoming a symbol of denial for anyone, Brother Roger believed that it is possible to embrace within oneself the attention to the word of God so profoundly lived in the Reform tradition, the treasures of the spirituality of the Orthodox tradition, and all the charisms of communion of the Catholic Church, all the while, daily putting one’s trust in the mystery of faith.
The new pope is…like the son of Jacob who, meeting with his brothers, showed them the tenderness of his heart and, bursting into tears, said, “I am Joseph, your brother.” Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, seventy-seven years old and newly installed as Pope John XXIII, surprised the crowds gathered for his coronation Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica when he spoke these words directly to them. Rarely had a pope used such personal language before.
As we prepare to observe the ‘Week of Prayer for Christian Unity’ in the Northern Hemisphere from Jan.18th-25th, it’s a good time to remember the legacy of a Catholic pioneer, who worked for unity in the ‘Body of Christ’ – Fr. Paul Courtier.
The word “righteous” has acquired some uncomfortable baggage in our times. It tends to be associated with self-righteousness, with an egotistical belief that one is better than those around them. But in the Bible, righteousness is deeply connected with love and mercy, together with moral uprightness. Today, as we approach Christmas, I reflect on Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus, who beautifully demonstrates this quality of righteousness.
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