MissiOnLine.org The reconciliation of Christians a credible sign in the world Taizé, Edimburgh 2010, ecumenism, christian unity

Several times I went to Asia for meetings of young people. What struck me in these parts is that prayer seems quite natural. Whatever their religion, people spontaneously find in the  prayer an attitude of respect or even of adoration. In these societies there are fewer tensions in the West. But the sense of interiority is perhaps more accessible, it’s an attention to the mystery.
In contrast, in the Western world it has become more difficult to refer to God and still there are many people who seriously seek meaning to their lives, but they cannnot believe in a God who loves them personally. Some consider its existence as a limit to their freedom. It seems inconceivable that God may accompany them.
For others, the trials of life make faith impossible. If God exists, why evil is so powerful? In a universe of which we know better the complexity and the infinite, how we could imagine an omnipresent God who would take care of both the universe and every human being in particular? If God exists, does He hear our prayers and answer them?
In Taizé these issues are at home and what concerns us most, is the transmission of faith to younger generations. What we care first and foremost is to communicate the Gospel. And the Gospel can be lived only together. Being separated does not make sense. When Christians are divided, their message becomes inaudible.
There have been periods in history when, on behalf of the truth of the Gospel, Christians were divided. Today, on behalf of the truth of the Gospel, we must try to reconcile. The message of Christ can transmit only if we are together. The communion between Christians allows the word of God to speak to people today.
We can say even more strongly at the conference in Edinburgh: the mission and ecumenism are inextricably linked.
Are we aware that a deep communion between those who follow Christ not only makes more credible the message of the Gospel, but it can also become yeast of peace only within the human family? Our unity of Christians can prepare paths of trust on earth: are we conscious of this universal dimension of our Christian life? This affects all the baptized. Together, with our unity, we can be a credible sign of reconciliation among men.
Let’s dare, then, go towards the visible unity! In a world where violence and disappointment are trying to establish, with our communion we can give a sign of hope that radiates down to the most difficult situations.
We have to overcome the divisions that continue to confuse the image of the Church! If we could make it clear that the Church is a place of friendship for everyone! If our communities, our parishes, our youth groups, could become more and more places of mercy and trust! Places where we accept each other, where we try to understand and support each other, where we care for the weak!
Even with our limitations, even where the circumstances are not favourable, God makes us creators of reconciliation. Go to the other, sometimes empty-handed, listen, try to understand: even so, a blocked situation could be transformed. Hospitality, face to face meetings are invaluable. Yes, Christ sends us to heal the wounds around us of the divisions and violence.
Our time needs brave men and women who express their entire existence of the Gospel's call to reconciliation. These men and women did not necessarily need to be crowd. In history, sometimes, a few people were enough to make the direction of history stretch toward peace. Isn’t true that the Gospel compare the Kingdom of God to a bit of yeast that raises the whole lump?