Photo: Miriam Alster, CNS
Jesus is asking spiritual and civilian Christian leaders to be messengers of the word of God, especially in these difficult times in the Middle East, said Maronite Archbishop Moussa El-Hage of Haifa and the Holy Land.
“Do we witness to Christ in our lives, we who received the teaching of Christ?” he asked participants in the 13th Extraordinary Prayer of all Churches for Reconciliation, Unity and Peace. “Is Jesus with us and in us? Do we always remember the presence of Jesus in us? And how we live this presence?”
Speaking on 19 June, Pentecost on the Julian calendar followed by most Eastern traditions, he said, “We came today to hear the word of God and celebrate the Eucharist, from all the Christian Churches, and to open our hearts and minds to the work of the Holy Spirit and to listen to his inspiration.”
As Middle East Christians face grave trials, he said, it is imperative they not be forgotten, that they remain in everyone’s prayers. He also prayed for participants in the Council of the Orthodox Church in Crete.
Since 2010 Jerusalem churches have called on Christians everywhere to join in a special prayer for reconciliation and unity among the churches and peace in the world.
This year it was at the Maronite patriarchal exarchate church.
