In Germany will be commemorated on October 31, in memory of Martin Luther and in Switzerland, on the first Sunday of November, in memory of Huldrich Zwingli along with John Calvin and other Swiss reformers of the 16th century.
The Reformation Anniversary will occur in 2017 and many are wondering how to make the commemoration fruitful today, in light of the changes which have also produced divisions among Christians; but at the European level, this query has initiated an exchange of considerations that have already achieved the first results.
The Lutheran and Reformation Christians have decided for the first time after the Reformation, to hold their celebrations together. To this end, a first international preparatory conference was held on October 2013 in Zurich, with about 240 representatives from over 35 countries
In view of the 2017 anniversary, also the dark sides of the Reformation are considered an important aspect to discuss. The Reformed Churches in Switzerland have reviewed the history of the centenary persecution of the Anabaptists (Mennonites, Amish), and in 2004, began a process of reconciliation in Zurich where the Anabaptist movement is rooted. There is hope that this period of preparation could develop among the many churches, a mutual pathway of reconciliation and understanding, in line with Pope Francis who, on 8 October 2014, in his catechesis on ecumenism underlined how in the course of history, serious and painful separations came about, but that cannot be considered with resignation and indifference.
To this regard, we interviewed Kathrin Reusser, a focolarina belonging to the Swiss Reformed Church. Could you tell us about your experience over the last years? «”Ecclesia semper reformanda” (the Church has to constantly reform itself): this essential motto of the Reform is very dear to me. During my growing up crisis in 1972, in Loppiano I was fascinated by how the focolarini lived the Gospel in their daily lives. At home, in the effort to see Christ in everyone, I saw difficult relationships start to change. My parents, with their example of coherence, had strongly impressed Christian values in me. The Focolari spirituality then opened my horizons towards humanity, for which I could live as a instrument of unity and greater communion.»
Did this hold an impact also on your professional life as a Judge?«Yes, it has guided me in drawing up court sentences and handling proceedings and arbitration, and living also here a “reform,” that is, a “change” of situations and a “new start.” If for example, in a desperate conflict between the parties I recognised the presence of ‘Jesus Forsaken’ ‑ whom Chiara Lubich had made me see as a “key to unity”– and when in the darkness of twisted proofs it seemed impossible to make a real and just decision, I tried to accept HIM completely, and then– in ever different and surprising ways –an acceptable solution for all the parties would come up».
Aren’t there any contrasts between a spirituality rooted in the Catholic Church and your belonging to the Reformed Church? «To tell the truth, the life of the spirituality pushed me to delve deeply also into the roots of my Reformed Church. That is how, for example, through a Focolare practice of renewing of the ‘pact’ of mutual love (John 13,34) I found, in particular, before going to the Rites, a new and deeper comprehension of the meaning of the Holy Supper. With joy I discovered later, that for the reformer, Zwingli, the Holy Supper is THE place where the entire Christian church renews itself in unity, like the body of Christ. This experience is really precious, also in the dialogue with the other reformers for whom, at times, the Holy Supper holds no vital significance. There is a growing certainty that I can give my contribution – no matter how small – to a new unity among Christians in the future.
Chiara Lubich on 17 November 2001, in a speech in Zurich, the place where Zwingli operated, described the invigorating effect of unity: “Let us not rest! God will help us (…). And when we will be fully united, a new breath of life will invade the earth for the good of humanity, for the glory of God and to our joy. May God give us the grace, to see the Church united, or at least, to contribute in preparing the way to unity.»
Grazie Kathrin di quanto fate per portare l’Ideale dell’unità nella vostra chiesa e fra le chiese. Cosi è per me una cosa impellente, cercare di essere strumento di unità e riconciliazione nei contatti che ho con persone della mia propria chiesa e fra le chiese quando ci sono le occasioni.
Veramente non dobbiamo darci pace, fino a che con il contributo di tutti, nel Movimento e oltre,non si facciano passi concreti verso l’unità di tutti i cristiani. Lionello
Grazie delle tue esperienze e riflessioni, Kathrin! Anch’io sono convinto che la Chiesa una dobbiamo prepararla noi con la nostra vita, come dice Chiara Lubich. E chissà che non giunga presto il momento in cui – sulla nostra esperienza di profonda unità nella diversità – anche i responsabili massimi delle Chiese facciano passi decisivi e visibili in questa direzione.
En la Mariápolis Lía de Argentina tuve el placer de convivir con una joven Evangélica y es y fue hermoso redescubrir que Dios es UNO y enriquecernos recíprocamente y crecer juntos con el carisma de la Unidad que Chiara nos legó!
I’m very happy to see an article like this on the front page of the site. The 500th anniversary of the Reformation can be a great moment of reconciliation, and a huge step ahead,celebrating everything we have in common, and working more and more together.