Prayer for the unity of Christians. Particular memory of the Churches of the Anglican communion.

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

I am the good shepherd,
my sheep listen to my voice,
and they become
one flock and one fold.
.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Mark 3,7-12

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lakeside, and great crowds from Galilee followed him. From Judaea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea and Transjordan and the region of Tyre and Sidon, great numbers who had heard of all he was doing came to him. And he asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, to keep him from being crushed. For he had cured so many that all who were afflicted in any way were crowding forward to touch him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, would fall down before him and shout, 'You are the Son of God!' But he warned them strongly not to make him known.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

I give you a new commandment,
that you love one another.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The crowds know well that they will find in Jesus a good and compassionate man who will never reject them. Obviously Jesus' availability does not mean giving up on his ministry. Quite the opposite. Jesus wanted to help people to be happy and glad and this is why he invited them to change their hearts. He was not flattering them and even less an accomplice to their instincts in order to have their consensus. He decides to board a boat to get off a shoreline and be able to see everyone and speak to all from the Gospel. And he starts talking to that crowd. It is a scene that is striking for its strength. That boat becomes a new pulpit for Jesus. And how can we not see in it the image of the Church? Maybe we must seriously ask ourselves: where today's crowds, more numerous than those of then, can "touch" Jesus? Where can the many who carry the luggage of their pain and hopes be healed and consoled? Shouldn't our Christian communities today be like that boat where the crowds can get close and receive the Gospel of love? Today's crowds need a Church that becomes neighbouring, close, loving, good, and compassionate. In a world where the barriers that divide the poor and the sick from those who are well, either individuals or nations, grow the Church I called to show even more mercy and welcome to the poor and the weak. Barriers - sometimes made of bricks and often prejudices - are inspired by those "impure spirits" spoken by the evangelist, who want to prevent Jesus' words from reaching the heart of those who listen to it. The Gospel shows us how much Jesus' power is stronger than that of such spirits. The Lord gives the disciples the same power so that they can continue his mission of salvation everywhere.