I morgen, fredag 18. januar begynner den økumeniske bønneuka for kristen enhet (i Norge markeres den fra søndag 20. til søndag 27. januar), og pave Benedikt nevnte uka på denne måten i gårsdagens audiens.
The day after tomorrow, January 18, begins the usual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which has a singular value this year because it has been 100 years since it was first celebrated.
The theme is St. Paul’s invitation to the Thessalonians: «Pray without ceasing» (Thes 5,17) – an invitation which I gladly make my own and address to the whole church.
Yes, it is necessary to pray without let-up, asking God insistently for the great gift of unity among all the disciples of the Lord.
May the inexhaustible power of the Holy Spirit stimulate us to a sincere commitment towards this unity, so that we may all profess together that Jesus is the only Savior of the world.