Focolare Movement

Jews and Christians Desiring Unity

Jun 2, 2011

A day meeting for a deeper examination of dialogue in the Focolare town of El Diamante (Acatzingo) in Mexico. The next event will be the Jewish Christian syposium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

On 22 May, the Focolare’s little town in Mexico – “El Diamante” – was awaiting the appointment with Christians and Jews united in a sign of living dialogue among people who desire to rediscover their common roots. They are our “big brothers”, said John Paul II using an expression which has now become famous. And “What might happen,” asked Chiara Lubich, “as we deepen the brotherly relationship between us, Jews and Christians, who share the patrimony of the Bible, in what we call the Old Testament?” Today the relationship continues to develop in the Focolare Movement, upon this basis and the dialogue between Christians and Jews continues. The day at Acatzingo is an example. Following a brief introduction, focused on the discovery of God Love as the basis of our brotherhood, along with moments from the history of the Focolare in its dialogue with the Jewish world, Liviu Bleier, president of the new B’nai B’rith of Mexico, stressed that “the best religion is the one that is the closest to God” and he expressed his appreciation and joy for this occasion of mutual exchange. The group, composed of 23 people belonging to the Jewish faith from Mexico City and friends of the Focolare, visited the workshops and the school linked to the Mariapolis Centre, located in a rural setting, with the aim of training people in loving and forgiving, a culture of life and of giving. The inhabitants of the Mariapolis, youths, adults and children, presented an overview of a Christian witness in daily life, which was much appreciated by the guests. The ceremony around the olive tree – a symbol of peace, and a symbol common to Christians and Jews alike – was a moment of importance which brought out dimensions of the brotherhood among all: “Thank you for the way in which you welcomed us – said one of the attendees – for the spirit of brotherhood, as if you knew us for a long time. It makes me realize that we must be humble and at the service of others, to change ourselves and the world. ” The next appointment is set for 21 – 24 August in Buenos Aires, for another Jewish-Christian symposium, following the one last year in Jerusalem.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

What’s UP? Let’s get started!

What’s UP? Let’s get started!

Welcome to What’s UP?, a new format offered by the Focolare Movement that brings us closer together and makes us feel more and more like a family.

A prize for Run4Unity

A prize for Run4Unity

The international relay race that the Teens for Unity organize every year on the first Sunday of May, during the “United World Week”, has won the #BeActive EU Sport Awards.

From Caracas (Venezuela): solidarity becomes tangible

From Caracas (Venezuela): solidarity becomes tangible

Several days have passed since the earthquakes in Venezuela that caused the collapse of 770 buildings.At the moment the official figures report more than 1,400 victims, thousands injured and it is estimated that the number of missing persons may reach 50,000. Rescue teams have arrived from many countries and are racing against time to find survivors beneath the rubble. Here follows the news received from the Focolare communities in Caracas which have mobilized to meet the multiple needs arising from this tragedy while a network of solidarity network has sprung into action.