word of life january 2013 every year the week of prayer for christian unity is held in many parts of...
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Word
of
Life
January 2013
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Every year the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is held in many
parts of the world from 18th to 25th
January. Elsewhere it is celebrated at
Pentecost.The theme for the Week of Prayer in
2013, based on Micah 6:6-8, is: ‘What does
God ask of us?’
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Chiara Lubich used to comment on the
biblical phrase each year. To continue this
contribution of hers, we propose one of her
commentaries on Mt 9:13 (comparing it with
Hos 6:6), written in 1996, which can help
us deepen our understanding of the
proposed Word.
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«Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”.» (Mt 9:13)
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«... I desire mercy, not sacrifice».Do you remember when Jesus said these words?
While he was having dinner one day, some publicans and persons of ill-repute came and sat at the table with him. As soon as the Pharisees
noticed this, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and
sinners?’ Upon hearing this, Jesus replied:
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«Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”.»
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Jesus is quoting the prophet Hosea
(Hosea 6:6), which shows that he likes the idea it contains.
In fact, it is the principle he himself follows. It expresses the primacy of love
over any other commandment, over
any other rule or precept.
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This is Christianity: Jesus came to say that what God wants from you, in your relationships with others – whether men or women – before anything else is love, and that this will of God has already been proclaimed in Scripture as
the words of the prophet show.
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Love is the agenda of life for all Christians, the basic law of their actions, the yardstick
of their behaviour.
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Love must always come before other laws. Indeed, love for others has to become the
firm foundation on which a Christian validly puts into practice every other principle.
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«... I desire mercy, not sacrifice»
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Jesus wants love, and mercy is one of its expressions. He wants Christians to live like this, above all else because God is like this.
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In Jesus’ eyes, God is, in first place, the Merciful One, the Father who loves everyone and who makes the sun rise and rain fall on
the good and the bad.
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Because Jesus loves everyone, he is not afraid of associating with sinners, and in this way he reveals to us who God is. If God, then, is like
this, if Jesus is like this, you too must have the same feelings.
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«... I desire mercy, not sacrifice.»
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«... and not sacrifice.» If you do not love your neighbour, your worship will not be pleasing to Jesus. He does not welcome your prayers, your
Church-going, your offerings, if they do not flower from a heart at peace with everyone,
rich with love towards all.
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Do you remember the extremely powerful words of the Sermon on the Mount? " So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember
that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and
then come and offer your gift."
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These words tell you that the worship most pleasing to God is love of neighbour which should
be the basis even of worshipping God. If you wanted to give a present to your father while you
were angry with your brother or your sister (or your brother or your sister were angry with you)
what would your father say? ‘Make peace between you and then come and give me anything you
want.’
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We are told so by the saints, the witnesses of the Gospel who have gone before us, and it is
experienced by Christians who live their faith. If they help their brothers and sisters, above all the needy, their devotion grows, their union
with God is strengthened, they feel that a bond exists between them and the Lord, and this is
what gives most joy to their lives.
But there is more. Love is not only the
basis of Christian
living. It is also the most direct way of
being in communion with God.
But there is more. Love is not only the
basis of Christian
living. It is also the most direct way of
being in communion with God.
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«... I desire mercy, not sacrifice.»
How can you live this new Word of Life?
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Do not discriminate between the people you are in touch with, do not treat anyone as
less important, but offer everyone as much as you can give, imitating God the Father.
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Patch up minor or major disagreements which are displeasing to heaven and bring
bitterness to your life. As Scripture says, do not let the sun set on your anger with
anyone.
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If you behave like this, all you do will be pleasing to God and will remain in eternity. Whether you
are working or resting, whether you are playing or studying, whether you are with your children or
going for a walk with your wife or husband, whether you are praying or making sacrifices, or fulfilling the religious practices of your Christian vocation, everything, everything, everything is
raw material for the kingdom of heaven.
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Paradise is a house we build here and dwell in there. And we build it with love.
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«Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”.» (Mt 9:13)
Text by Chiara LubichText by Chiara Lubich