LESSON 4: ECUMENISM

• John 17:20


  20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will

  believe in me through their message,

  Jesus begins by expanding the scope of his prayer beyond just his

  immediate disciples.

  He's praying not only for those who are with him at that moment

  but also for all future believers who will come to faith through

  the message of his disciples.

  • This shows the universality of Jesus' concern and care for all who

  would follow him throughout history.
• John 17: 21


  21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in

  you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have

  sent me.

  Jesus prays for unity among believers, drawing a parallel between

  the unity he shares with the Father and the unity he desires for his

  followers.

  This unity is not just superficial but profound, reflecting the

  intimate relationship between Jesus and God the Father.

  • The purpose of this unity is so that the world may recognize the

  divine origin of Jesus and believe in him.
• John 17: 22


  22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one

  as we are one—

  Jesus speaks of having given his disciples the glory that the Father

  gave him.

  This could refer to the authority and power bestowed upon them

  through the Holy Spirit after Jesus' resurrection.

  • The purpose of this sharing of glory is again to emphasize unity,

  mirroring the unity between Jesus and the Father.
• John 17: 23


  23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete

  unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them

  even as you have loved me.

  Jesus reiterates the theme of mutual indwelling, expressing his

  desire for both himself and the Father to dwell within believers.

  • This indwelling facilitates unity among believers and with God,

  serving as a testimony to the world of Jesus' divine mission and the

  Father's love for humanity.
• JOHN 17: 24 (IMPORTANT)


  24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am,

  and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me

  before the creation of the world.

  Jesus expresses his desire for believers to be with him in glory, to

  experience the fullness of his glory that he shares with the Father.

  • This glory is not only a future hope but also something that

  believers can begin to experience in their lives through their

  relationship with Christ.
• JOHN 17: 25


  25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you,

  and they know that you have sent me.

  Jesus acknowledges the distinction between those who know God

  and those who do not.

  • He asserts his unique knowledge of the Father and reaffirms his

  divine mission as the one sent by God.
• JOHN 17: 26


  26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you

  known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I

  myself may be in them.”

  • Jesus concludes his prayer by emphasizing his role in revealing the

  Father to believers and his ongoing work in making God known to

  them. - He desires for the love that the Father has for him to be present in

  believers and for himself to dwell within them through the Holy

  Spirit, sealing their union with God.
• John 13:35


  "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one

  another."

  Jesus is speaking to his disciples during the Last Supper.

  He gives them a new commandment, emphasizing the importance

  of love within the community of believers.

  • This love is not just any kind of love but specifically the love that

  reflects Jesus' own self-sacrificial love.
• Ecumenism


  The movement or efforts aimed at promoting unity and

  cooperation among different Christian denominations or

  churches.
• seeks to foster dialogue, understanding, and collaboration among

  Christians, regardless of their doctrinal, cultural, or

  organizational differences.

  Ecumenism
• Ecumenism comes from the Greek word ---

  "oikoumene,"
• "oikoumene," means


  "the whole inhabited world."
• Primary aim is to work towards the visible unity of the Christian

  Church.

  • This unity is not necessarily uniformity, where all churches

  become identical, but rather a recognition and celebration of the

  essential unity in faith, sacraments, and mission that Christians

  share.

  Promoting Unity
• Ecumenical efforts involve dialogue between different Christian

  traditions, denominations, and churches.

  Through respectful and open communication, ecumenical

  participants seek to understand each other's beliefs, practices, and

  traditions better.

  • Dialogue often involves theological discussions, joint worship

  services, and shared experiences.

  Dialogue and Understanding
• Reconciliation


  Ecumenism seeks to address historical divisions and conflicts

  among Christian communities.

  • It aims to heal past wounds, reconcile differences, and foster

  forgiveness and reconciliation among Christians.
• Common Mission and Witness


  Ecumenism encourages collaboration among Christians in areas of

  shared mission and service, such as social justice, humanitarian

  aid, and evangelism.

  • By working together, Christians can amplify their efforts and more

  effectively address global challenges and societal issues.
• Ecumenical Organizations and Movements


  There are various ecumenical organizations and movements at

  local, national, and international levels dedicated to promoting

  unity among Christians.

  • Examples include the World Council of Churches, the National

  Council of Churches
• Despite its noble goals, ecumenism faces challenges, including

  theological differences, ecclesiological differences (differences in

  church structure and governance), cultural and linguistic barriers,

  and historical animosities.


  Challenges and Obstacles
• Ecumenism reflects the Christian belief in the unity of the Body of

  Christ and the desire to fulfill Jesus' prayer “that they may all be

  one”

  (John 17:21).
• • Italian term that translates to “updating” or "bringing up to date.”


  Aggiornamento
• Aggiornamento gained prominence during __

  Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), particularly through the

  leadership of Pope John XXIII.
• This concept was central to the vision of Vatican II, which sought

  to renew and revitalize various aspects of Catholic life, including

  liturgy, theology, ecumenism, and engagement with the world.

  t
• Latin expression that means "to the sources."


  Ad Fontes
• Returning to the original sources or foundational texts for

  knowledge, understanding, and inspiration

  • Influential in various academic disciplines, including theology,

  philosophy, history, and literature.

  Ad Fontes
• • The council recognized the need for greater understanding and

  cooperation among Christians and encouraged Catholics to engage

  in dialogue with members of other Christian denominations.

  Ecumenical Dialogue
• one of the most significant events in the history of the Catholic

  Church in the 20th century.

  • ecumenical council convened by Pope John XXIII and continued

  under Pope Paul VI, held between 1962 and 1965 in Vatican City.

  Second Vatican Council
• One of the major documents produced by Vatican II

  (Unitatis Redintegratio)
• Affirmed the Catholic Church's commitment to ecumenical

  dialogue and cooperation with other Christian communities.

  • Recognized the presence of elements of sanctification and truth in

  other Christian traditions and emphasized the importance of

  seeking unity while respecting diversity.


  (Unitatis Redintegratio)
• Vatican II reiterated the importance of unity among Christians and

  expressed the desire for the reconciliation of all divided Christians.

  • Mutual understanding, forgiveness, and collaboration in areas of

  common concern, such as social justice and evangelization.


  Focus on Unity
• In addition to ecumenical dialogue with other Christian traditions,

  Vatican II also emphasized the importance of dialogue and

  engagement with non-Christian religions.

  • The council affirmed the dignity of all human beings and

  encouraged mutual respect and cooperation among people of

  different religious beliefs.

  Dialogue with Non-Christian Religions
• While not directly related to ecumenism, Vatican II brought about

  significant changes in the liturgy and worship practices of the

  Catholic Church.

  • These changes aimed to make the liturgy more accessible and

  understandable to the faithful and to promote active participation

  in worship.

  Changes in Liturgy and Worship
• Latin term that translates to "Restoration of Unity."

  Unitatis Redintegratio
• Document issued by the Second Vatican Council,

  one of the most significant events in the history of the Catholic

  Church in the 20th century.

  Primary focus is on the ecumenical movement, which seeks to

  foster greater unity among Christian denominations.

  • Emphasizes the importance of dialogue, understanding, and

  cooperation among Christians of different traditions while

  affirming the essential unity of the Church founded by Jesus

  Christ.

  Unitatis Redintegratio
• • “The brethren divided from us also use many liturgical actions of

  the Christian religion. These most certainly can truly engender a

  life of grace in ways that vary according to the condition of each

  Church or Community. These liturgical actions must be regarded

  as capable of giving access to the community of salvation.”

  Unitatis Redintegratio 7
• Paragraph 7 specifically addresses the relationship between the

  Catholic Church and other Christian communities.

  • This paragraph acknowledges the significant elements of truth and

  grace found in these communities, which are considered to be a

  means of salvation.


  Unitatis Redintegratio 7