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Chiara Lubich at the World Council of Churches
«Jesus, here we are … first of all to ask you for something great, Lord!
You said: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name [in my love], there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). Kindle in us all a great fraternal respect, help us to listen profoundly to one another, arouse among us that mutual love which allows, indeed, which ensures your spiritual presence in our midst. Because we know, Lord, that without you we can do nothing” (See Jn 15:5).
But, with you in our midst, we will be enlightened by your light and guided on this day ….
You know … the same and yet different calling that has been laid upon us: to work, together with many others in the Christian world so that the full and visible communion among the Churches may one day become a reality. Even though we know that this requires almost a miracle. This is why we need you, Jesus. For our part … we cannot help but open our heart and reveal to you our deepest sentiments.
First of all, we feel the need to ask you for forgiveness on our own behalf, but also on behalf of our Christian brothers and sisters of all times, forgiveness for having carelessly torn your tunic, for having cut it up into so many pieces; or for having kept it this way because of indifference. At the same time, we cannot help but nurture an ardent hope in your mercy, which is always greater than any of our sins and capable not only of forgiving, but also of forgetting. Just as we cannot deny that we have a great faith in your immense love, which is able to draw good from every evil, if we believe in you and if we love you.
All this burns in our heart, Jesus, in this moment, together with gratitude for what Christians of many Churches have been able to do, with your grace, for almost a century. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, they have worked towards mutual reconciliation through a fruitful dialogue of love, intense theological work, and a general sensitization of the people to the need for unity.
And so, allow us to tell you, Lord, that although always in the acutely painful situation of not having achieved full communion yet, we sense in our heart the Christian optimism that your infinite Love cannot help but kindle. We begin our work then confident that you, who know how to win the world, will help us to help you fulfill your testament here on earth one day. Then with unity achieved, your testament will witness to the world that you are the King and Lord of all hearts and peoples. Amen.
Chiara Lubich at the World Council of Churches
Geneva, 28 October 2002
Published by New City Press in in the book entitled Living Dialogue, Rome 2002, p.47-49 (a collection of Chiara Lubich’s various talks during her trip to Geneva in 2002, with strong ecumenical imprint).
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The EoC annual report has been published for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. It is an agile text that gives a very complete picture of the life of the businesses that adhere to the principles of the Economy of Communion, of the activities that promote and bring ahead a culture of Communion throughout the world, and of activities throughout the world that are founded on the culture of communion.
Thumbing through the pages, one has the impression of throwing open a window and looking out onto a fascinating landscape with some contours that perhaps are still uncertain and limited, but coming away with a vision that leaves one with a real sense of hope in big ideas.
So what has happened in the world of the Economy of Communion between September 2011 and September 2012? As of now there are 800 business that adhere to the Economy of Communion. But even counting businesses that begin and die out, the fact remains that during the twenty years of its activity more than 1800 business have been associated with the EoC for at least twelve months. A particularly indicative fact, which attests to the vitality and the dynamism of the EoC proposal, especially when one considers the economic crisis and the diverse socio-economic contexts in which these experiences took shape.
What comes into light is how the life of EoC businesses throughout the world came into being in different ways: with the giving of a part of the earnings, with a direct contribution to social projects through the action of the same business (for example, labor inclusion of disadvantaged people), but above all with an economic behaviour that creates communion and brotherhood. As Chiara Lubich was fond of affirming: the EoC business strives to be “all built on love”
Then, one cannot help noticing the increase of EoC businesses in Africa, a continent that in 2011 hosted the first EoC school and now estimates an increase of 60%, with 16 new businesses.
It is also helpful to give a glance at the table on the distribution of profits. It shows how there is a continual flow of goods both as a business and as private individuals that not only encourages new sharing, but promotes cultural and economic change and leads to hope. The major profits come from two countries that are very different from one another: Belgium in old Europe, and Brazil, an economically emerging country that is in constant growth. This shows that the principles that lie beneath these businesses are universal. They transcend borders and produce reciprocity through projects that favour other productive activities.
There is also help for those in need, through the integration of income where it is needed, support for medical care, education and housing. The needy feel part of the project, not because they are cared for, but because they place themselves in a position of giving, in a virtuous circle that has involved young people and sparked growing interest in learning environments. To read the entire report Click here.
[1] Lubich, Chiara. L’economia di comunione – Storia e profezia (Rome: Citta Nuova, 2001), p. 52.
The aim of the conference entitled Chiara Lubich: light, life and culture is this: to explore fresh insights and new understandings arising from a surprising story of the twentieth century. It will look at a charism of light that touched not only people’s souls but, at the same time, the whole range of human life, and became a scholarly and cultural project fit for the times.
It will take place in two venues: on 14 March in the cultural heart of Rome, in the prestigious great hall of the Sapienza University, and on 15 March in the heart of the Focolare Movement at its Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo.
The conference will take place on an important date for the Work of Mary (as the Focolare Movement is called officially). The 14th of March 2013 will be the fifth anniversary of the death of Chiara Lubich. While last year the commemoration of Chiara focused upon young people and the impact of Chiara’s charism upon their education and training, this year the emphasis is upon the spirituality of unity’s ‘innovative intellectual potential’.
Members of the academic bodies of universities across the world, and especially from Italy, will be present and actively participate during the two days of the conference. It will be opened by greetings from the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, the President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno and the President of the Focolare Movement, Maria Voce.
The meeting’s agenda seeks to facilitate a conversation between scholars of various disciplines. Among those present there will be professors of sociology, economics, politics, theology, mathematics, philosophy, communication sciences, education and psychology. It will attempt to achieve, as the organizers put it, ‘dialogue at all levels, and in first place ecumenical and interfaith dialogue (an inspirational contribution in developing a form of society worthy of human beings), in the commitment to make Europe into a place where all are at home, [and] unity among peoples through new and innovative projects (such as the Economy of Communion).’
Behind the initiative on 14 and 15 March are the twenty-four scholars of a wide range of disciplines who make up the ‘Abba School’, the Focolare Movement’s research centre, set up by Chiara Lubich in 1990. The centre, in its own terms, ‘is an interdisciplinary workshop dedicated to the study of the academic and intellectual contents of the charism of unity, drawing out its many implications in the different spheres of human knowledge.’
Economics, humanism, law, beauty, the future ‘are some of the themes that will be touched upon in the conference,’ the organizers say, ‘and they will be looked at also by the heads of the universities who saw in Chiara Lubich a witness to human history in its journey towards universal fraternity.’
1. EACH NEW YEAR brings the expectation of a better world. In light of this, I ask God, the Father of humanity, to grant us concord and peace, so that the aspirations of all for a happy and prosperous life may be achieved.
Fifty years after the beginning of the Second Vatican Council, which helped to strengthen the Church’s mission in the world, it is heartening to realize that Christians, as the People of God in fellowship with him and sojourning among mankind, are committed within history to sharing humanity’s joys and hopes, grief and anguish, [1] as they proclaim the salvation of Christ and promote peace for all.
In effect, our times, marked by globalization with its positive and negative aspects, as well as the continuation of violent conflicts and threats of war, demand a new, shared commitment in pursuit of the common good and the development of all men, and of the whole man.
It is alarming to see hotbeds of tension and conflict caused by growing instances of inequality between rich and poor, by the prevalence of a selfish and individualistic mindset which also finds expression in an unregulated financial capitalism. In addition to the varied forms of terrorism and international crime, peace is also endangered by those forms of fundamentalism and fanaticism which distort the true nature of religion, which is called to foster fellowship and reconciliation among people.
All the same, the many different efforts at peacemaking which abound in our world testify to mankind’s innate vocation to peace. In every person the desire for peace is an essential aspiration which coincides in a certain way with the desire for a full, happy and successful human life. In other words, the desire for peace corresponds to a fundamental moral principle, namely, the duty and right to an integral social and communitarian development, which is part of God’s plan for mankind. Man is made for the peace which is God’s gift.
All of this led me to draw inspiration for this Message from the words of Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt 5:9) (…) More
Love is the agenda of life for all Christians, the basic law of their actions, the yardstick of their behaviour. Love must always come before other laws. Indeed, love for others has to become the firm foundation on which a Christian validly puts into practice every other principle.
‘… I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’
Jesus wants love, and mercy is one of its expressions. He wants Christians to live like this, above all else because God is like this. In Jesus’ eyes, God is, in first place, the Merciful One, the Father who loves everyone and who makes the sun rise and rain fall on the good and the bad. Because Jesus loves everyone, he is not afraid of associating with sinners, and in this way he reveals to us who God is.
If God, then, is like this, if Jesus is like this, you too must have the same feelings.
‘… I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’
‘… and not sacrifice.’ If you do not love your neighbour, your worship will not be pleasing to Jesus. He does not welcome your prayers, your Church-going, your offerings, if they do not flower from a heart at peace with everyone, rich with love towards all.
Do you remember the extremely powerful words of the Sermon on the Mount? ‘So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift’ (Mt 5:23-24).
These words tell you that the worship most pleasing to God is love of neighbour which should be the basis even of worshipping God.
If you wanted to give a present to your father while you were angry with your brother or your sister (or your brother or your sister were angry with you) what would your father say? ‘Make peace between you and then come and give me anything you want.’
But there is more. Love is not only the basis of Christian living. It is also the most direct way of being in communion with God. We are told so by the saints, the witnesses of the Gospel who have gone before us, and it is experienced by Christians who live their faith. If they help their brothers and sisters, above all the needy, their devotion grows, their union with God is strengthened, they feel that a bond exists between them and the Lord, and this is what gives most joy to their lives.
‘… I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’
How can you live this new Word of Life? Do not discriminate between the people you are in touch with, do not treat anyone as less important, but offer everyone as much as you can give, imitating God the Father. Patch up minor or major disagreements which are displeasing to heaven and bring bitterness to your life. As Scripture says, do not let the sun set on your anger with anyone (see Eph. 4:26).
If you behave like this, all you do will be pleasing to God and will remain in eternity. Whether you are working or resting, whether you are playing or studying, whether you are with your children or going for a walk with your wife or husband, whether you are praying or making sacrifices, or fulfilling the religious practices of your Christian vocation, everything, everything, everything is raw material for the kingdom of heaven.
Paradise is a house we build here and dwell in there. And we build it with love.
Chiara Lubich
[1] See Hosea 6:6