When in Rome

Good morning.

In January this year, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an inter-church group from a Belfast Christian arts festival made a pilgrimage to Rome.

During our visit we spent time exploring some of the great basilicas and churches of the city, as well as making a very poignant visit to the catacombs. I found it deeply moving to experience this as part of a group of Christians, especially seeing the deep respect shown by those from the Reformed tradition as we entered places that hold such significance for the Catholic faith.

On the Wednesday we joined pilgrims and visitors from many parts of the world for the General Audience given by Pope Leo.

Afterwards we were very blessed to have the opportunity to greet the Pope. When our moment came, I thanked him for his prayer and his work for Christian unity. He listened attentively and blessed us. Then, as he moved away, he turned back and spoke five words to our group: “Work all together for peace.” Those words have stayed with me ever since.

Spoken to an inter-church group from Belfast, those five words spoke into our history and pointed towards the future. They reminded us that peace is not built by goodwill alone, nor unity by polite agreement, but by shared labour, honest encounter and sustained commitment.

God of peace,
we thank you for moments of grace that clarify our calling.
Help us to work all together for peace
in our churches, in our city and in our shared life.
Give us patience, courage and humility,
and keep us faithful to the work of reconciliation you entrust to us.
Guide us by your Spirit each day.

Amen.