Resources for

THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
and throughout the year
2022

We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him
Matthew 2:2

Jointly prepared and published by
the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches
CONTENTS

Biblical text for 2022
Ecumenical worship service
Biblical reflections and prayers for the Eight Days
Middle East Council of Churches


TO THOSE ORGANIZING THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY


The search for unity: throughout the year

The traditional period in the northern hemisphere for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is 18-25 January. Those dates were proposed in 1908 by Paul Wattson to cover the days between the feasts of St Peter and St Paul, and therefore have a symbolic significance. In the southern hemisphere where January is a vacation time churches often find other days to celebrate the Week of Prayer, for example around Pentecost (suggested by the Faith and Order movement in 1926), which is also a symbolic date for the unity of the Church.

Mindful of the need for flexibility, we invite you to use this material throughout the whole year to express the degree of communion which the churches have already reached, and to pray together for that full unity which is Christ's will.

Adapting the text

This material is offered with the understanding that, whenever possible, it will be adapted for use in local situations. Account should be taken of local liturgical and devotional practice, and of the whole social and cultural context. Such adaptation should ideally take place ecumenically. In some places ecumenical structures are already set up for adapting the material; in other places, we hope that the need to adapt it will be a stimulus to creating such structures.

Using the Week of Prayer material

• For churches and Christian communities which observe the Week of Prayer together through a single common service, an order for an ecumenical worship service is provided.

• Churches and Christian communities may also incorporate material from the Week of Prayer into their own services. Prayers from the ecumenical worship service, the "eight days", and the selection of additional prayers can be used as appropriate in their own setting.

• Communities which observe the Week of Prayer in their worship for each day during the week may draw material for these services from the "eight days".

• Those wishing to undertake bible studies on the Week of Prayer theme can use as a basis the biblical texts and reflections given in the eight days. Each day the discussions can lead to a closing period of intercessory prayer.

• Those who wish to pray privately may find the material helpful for focusing their prayer intentions. They can be mindful that they are in communion with others praying all around the world for the greater visible unity of Christ's Church.


BIBLICAL TEXT FOR 2022

Matthew 2:1-12


In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
     are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
     who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

New Revised Standard Version



INTRODUCTION TO THE THEME FOR THE YEAR 2022


"We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him " (Matthew 2:2)


According to the Gospel of Matthew (2:1-12), the appearance of the star in the sky of Judea represents a long-awaited sign of hope, that leads the Magi, and indeed all peoples of the earth, to the place where the true king and Saviour is revealed. This star is a gift, an indication of God's loving presence for all humanity. To the Magi it was a sign that a king was born. With its rays, it leads humanity towards a greater light, Jesus, the new light who enlightens every person and who leads us into the glory of the Father and the splendour of his radiance. Jesus is the light who has come into our darkness when, by the Holy Spirit, he was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became human. Jesus is the light who went even further into the darkness of the world when for our sake and for our salvation, he emptied himself and became obedient unto death. He did this to light our way to the Father, so that we might come to know the Father and know the love he has for us, who gave his only Son for us, so that believing in him we might not perish but have eternal life.

The Magi saw the star and followed it. Traditionally commentators have seen in the figures of the Magi a symbol of the diversity of peoples known at that time, and a sign of the universality of the divine call which appears in the light of the star shining from the east. They also see in the Magi's eager search for the new-born king, all humanity's hunger for truth, for goodness and for beauty. Humanity has been longing for God since the beginning of creation in order to give him homage. The star appeared as the divine child was born in the fullness of time. It heralded God's long-awaited act of salvation which begins in the mystery of the incarnation.

The Magi reveal to us the unity of all nations desired by God. They travel from far-off countries, and represent diverse cultures, yet they are driven by the same hunger to see and know the new-born king, and are gathered into the little house in Bethlehem in the simple act of giving homage and offering gifts. Christians are called to be a sign to the world of God bringing about this unity that he desires. Drawn from different cultures, races and languages, Christians share in a common search for Christ and a common desire to worship him. The mission of the Christian people, therefore, is to be a sign like the star, to guide humanity in its hunger for God, to lead all to Christ, and to be the means by which God is bringing about the unity of all peoples.

Part of the Magi's act of homage is to open their treasures, to offer their gifts, which from Christian antiquity, have been understood as signs of different aspects of Christ's identity: gold for his royalty; incense for his divinity; and myrrh foreshadowing his death. The diverse gifts, therefore, provide us with an image of the particular insights that different Christian traditions have into the person and work of Jesus. When Christians gather together and open their treasures and their hearts in homage to Christ, all are enriched as the gifts of these insights are shared.

The star rose in the east (Mt 2:2). It is from the east that the sun rises, and from what is called the Middle East that salvation appeared by the mercy of our God who blessed us with the dawn from on high (Lk 1:78). But the history of the Middle East was, and still is, characterized by conflict and strife, tainted with blood and darkened by injustice and oppression. Most recently, since the Palestinian Nakba (the exodus of Palestine's Arab population during the 1948 war) the region has seen a series of bloody wars and revolutions and the rise of religious extremism. The story of the Magi also contains many dark elements, most particularly Herod's despotic orders to massacre all the children around Bethlehem who were less than two years old (Mt 2:16-18). The cruelty of these narratives resonates with the long history and difficult present of the Middle East.

It was in the Middle East that the Word of God took root and bore fruit: thirty and sixty and one hundredfold. And from this east that the apostles set out to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The Middle East gave thousands of Christian witnesses and thousands of Christian martyrs. And yet now, the very existence of the small Christian community is threatened as many are driven to seek a more secure and serene life elsewhere. Like the light which is the child Jesus, the light of Middle Eastern Christianity is increasingly threatened in these difficult times.

Jerusalem is a powerful symbol for Christians because it is the city of peace where all humanity was saved and redeemed. But today peace is missing from the city. Various parties stake their claim to it and disregard others. Even prayer in Jerusalem has become subject to political and military measures. Jerusalem was the city of kings, indeed the city that Jesus will enter triumphantly, acclaimed as king (Lk 19:28-44). Naturally the Magi expected to find the new born king revealed by the star in this royal city. However, the narrative tells us that, rather than being blessed by the birth of the Saviour king, the whole of Jerusalem was in tumult, much as it is today.

Today, more than ever, the Middle East needs a heavenly light to accompany its people. The star of Bethlehem is a sign that God walks with his people, feels their pain, hears their cries, and shows them compassion. It reassures us that though circumstances change and terrible disasters may happen, God's faithfulness is unfailing. The Lord neither slumbers nor sleeps. He walks beside his people and brings them back when they are lost or in danger. The journey of faith is this walking with God who always watches over his people and who guides us in the complex paths of history and life.

For this Week of Prayer, the Christians of the Middle East chose the theme of the star that rose in the east for a number of reasons. While many Western Christians celebrate Christmas, the more ancient feast, and still the principal feast of many Eastern Christians, is the epiphany when God's salvation is revealed to the nations in Bethlehem and at the Jordan. This focus on the theophany (the manifestation) is, in a sense, a treasure which Christians of the Middle East can offer to their brothers and sisters around the world.

The star leads the Magi through the tumult of Jerusalem where Herod plots the murder of innocent life. Still today, and in various parts of the world, innocents suffer violence and the threat of violence, and young families flee tyrants such as Herod and Augustus. In this context people look for a sign that God is with them. They seek the new-born king, the king of gentleness, peace and love. But where is the star that leads the way to Him? It is the mission of the Church to be the star that lights the way to Christ who is the light of the world. By being such a star the Church becomes a sign of hope in a world of troubles and a sign of God's presence with his people, accompanying them through the difficulties of life. By word and through action Christians are called to light the way so that Christ might be revealed, once again, to the nations. But the divisions between us dim the light of Christian witness and obscure the way, preventing others from finding their way to Christ. Conversely, Christians united in their worship of Christ, and opening their treasures in an exchange of gifts, become a sign of the unity that God desires for all of his creation.

The Christians of the Middle East offer these resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity conscious that the world shares many of the travails and difficulties that they experience, and yearns for a light to lead the way to the Saviour who can overcome darkness. The COVID-19 global pandemic, the ensuing economic crisis, and the failure of political, economic and social structures to protect the weakest and most vulnerable, have underlined the global need for a light to shine in the darkness. The star that shone in the east, the Middle East, two thousand years ago still calls us to the manger, to where Christ is born. It draws us to where the Spirit of God is alive and active, to the reality of our baptism, and to the transformation of our hearts.

After encountering the Saviour and worshipping him together, the Magi return to their countries by a different way, having been warned in a dream. Similarly, the communion we share in our prayer together must inspire us to return to our lives, our churches and our world by new ways. Travelling by new ways is an invitation to repentance and renewal in our personal lives, in our churches and in our societies. Following Christ is our new path, and in a volatile and changing world Christians must remain as fixed and determined as the constellations and the shining planets. But what does this mean in practice? Serving the Gospel today requires a commitment to defending human dignity, especially in the poorest, the weakest and those marginalized. It requires from the churches transparency and accountability in dealing with the world, and with each other. This means churches need to cooperate to provide relief to the afflicted, to welcome the displaced, to relieve the burdened, and to build a just and honest society. This is a call for churches to work together so that young people can build a future that accords to God's heart, a future in which all human beings can experience life, peace, justice, and love. The new way between the churches is the way of visible unity that we sacrificially seek with courage and audacity so that, day after day, "God may be all in all" (1 Cor 15:28).

The reflections for the eight days and the worship service will be focused on the text from Matthew. The themes for the eight days are:

Day 1: "We observed his star in the East" (Mt 2:2)
Raise us up and draw us to your perfect light

Day 2:  "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?" (Mt 2:2)
Humble leadership breaks down walls and builds up with love

Day 3:  "When king Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him" (Mt 2:3)
The presence of Christ, turning the world upside down

Day 4: "And you, Bethlehem...are by no means least" (Mt 2:6)
Though small and suffering, we lack nothing

Day 5: "Ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising" (Mt 2:9)
Guided by the one Lord

Day 6:"They saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage" (Mt 2:11)
Gathered in worship around the One Lord

Day 7: "Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Mt 2:11)
The gifts of communion

Day 8:"They left for their own country by another road" (Mt 2:12)
Beyond the familiar routes of separation to God's new paths


ECUMENICAL WORSHIP SERVICE

Instructions for those preparing the worship

This year's materials and worship service have been prepared by the Middle East Council of Churches. The selection of scripture and liturgical texts is inspired by the visit of the Magi to the new-born King, as described in Matthew 2:1-12, particularly verse 2: "We saw his star in the East, and we came to worship him."

Some suggested music is attached in the appendix. If Christians from the Middle East are present in the congregation, it would be desirable to invite them to lead the singing of some of these hymns and chants in their own languages. Since the use of digital resources for worship has grown in recent years, links to online video recordings of some of the music have also been included in the appendix. Depending on your local context, appropriate hymns and songs that highlight this year's theme can be substituted.

Several items should be prepared for the part of the service entitled 'Sharing Christ's Light'. First, a piece of dark blue cloth to be strategically hung to evoke the night sky. Second, a large star which will be hung on the cloth. Third, small paper stars for the worshippers. Depending on the context, all of those present may be invited to take a star and hang it on the 'sky', as an offering to the heavenly king. Alternatively, representatives can be selected to do so on behalf of the various groups and communions participating in the worship.

Parts of the service assigned to a Reader may be shared among several different readers. Similarly, texts assigned to the Leader may be shared among clergy or leaders from the different traditions and communions participating in the worship. These leaders may pronounce the Sending and Blessing together.
Order of Service


"We saw his star in the East, and we came to worship him."(Matthew 2:2)

L      Leader
R      Reader
C      Congregation

Opening


The clergy and other participants enter in procession while an Oriental hymn is sung or played. (See Appendix for suggestions)

Call to Worship

L      In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C      Amen.

L      Brothers and sisters, we are united today with fellow believers in the four corners of the world as we gather to pray for the visible unity of the Church. We do this with worship resources prepared by the Middle East Council of Churches. Our texts are inspired by the visit of the Magi to the new-born King, as described in the Gospel according to Saint Matthew: "We observed his star in the East, and have come to pay him homage." Let us fix our eyes on the star that was seen in the East and allow it to lead us too.

Let us come into God's presence with thanksgiving and joy, bringing all the sick, the suffering, the marginalized, the refugees, and the uprooted before him, knowing that God can dispel our darkness with his light. As we pray today for the unity of the Church, may we and our communities also be lights that guide others to Jesus the Saviour.

L      Glory be to you Father Almighty, for you have revealed yourself through your creation and invited all people to stand in your presence. We have seen the star of Jesus in our lives and have come to worship him just as the Magi did. We offer him ourselves today and we ask for the presence of the Holy Spirit among us.

C      Unite us with one another as we come from the North and from the South, from the East and from the West, old and young, men and women to bow down before you and offer you homage, our heavenly king. Amen.

~Hymn O Worship the King (p. 17)

Prayer of Praise and Confession

L      We glorify you, O Lord, creator of heaven and earth, for you have set the lights in the vault of the sky. You separated light from darkness and arranged signs to mark sacred times, and days and years. You studded the firmament with stars. How majestic are your works, the heavens declare your glory and the skies proclaim the work of your hands!

C      We glorify you, O Lord.

L      We praise you for you did not abandon us despite our rebellion but sent your Son to brighten our darkness and be our light and our salvation. In him was life, and that life was the light of all humanity. And the light shines in the darkness.

C      We praise you, O Lord.

L      We worship you, O Lord, for you accompany us in the chaos of our life through the power of your Holy Spirit. You light up our paths and give us wisdom and faith in a world of untruth and doubt.

C      We worship you, O Lord.

L      We thank you, O Lord, for you send us into the world to reflect this light around us, in our various churches and diverse cultures and to witness to Jesus, the one true King, offering ourselves to him.

C      We thank you, O Lord.

L       May all the peoples bow before you and worship you. We have often preferred darkness, but you have given us light. Therefore, we come to you confessing our sins and saying:

C      We confess before you that we have turned away from your ways and disobeyed your ordinances. We have disfigured your good creation and squandered its resources through our consumerist practices. We have polluted your rivers and seas and poisoned your air and soil and contributed to the extinction of many species. (Silence)

C      We have acted selfishly towards our brothers and sisters. We have allowed our own needs and desires to prevail over our commitment to justice. We have built walls between us and planted the seeds of distrust towards the other. (Silence)

C      We have separated people based on ethnicity, religion and gender and we have claimed Jesus on our side in any war we waged. Forgive all these thoughts and deeds, O Lord, as we come before you in repentance. (Silence)

L       Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom you have sent in the fullness of time to redeem all the people, we ask you to have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and transform us into his glorious image so we can shine as a beacon of hope in our troubled world. (Silence)

L       Almighty God hears our prayers, has mercy on us and forgives our sins.

C      Thanks be to God, whom we praise with all our voices.

Chant
Trisagion

Holy God!
Holy Mighty!
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us!

Psalm 8 (responsively)


R O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

C Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.
R: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established;
C what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
R Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honour.
C You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,
R all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
C O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Chant
Tui Amoris Ignem

First Reading
Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shined.
Thou hast multiplied the nation,
    thou hast increased its joy;
they rejoice before thee
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    thou hast broken as on the day of Mid'ian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government will be upon his shoulder,
    and his name will be called
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom,
    to establish it, and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Chant
Song of Light (Saint Ephrem)

English Translation:
The Light of the just and joy of the upright is Christ Jesus our Lord.
Begotten of the Father, he manifested himself to us.
He came to rescue us from darkness
and to fill us with the radiance of his light.
Day is dawning upon us; the power of darkness is fading away.
From the true Light there arises for us
the light which illumines our darkened eyes.
His glory shines upon the world
and enlightens the very depths of the abyss.
Death is annihilated, night has vanished, and the gates of Sheol are broken.
Creatures lying in darkness from ancient times are clothed in light.
The dead arise from the dust and sing because they have a Saviour.
He brings salvation and grants us life.
He ascends to his Father on high.
He will return in glorious splendour
and shed his light on those gazing upon him.


Second Reading
Ephesians 5:8-14

For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said,

"Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,
and Christ shall give you light."

Gospel Acclamation
(sung)

Gospel Reading
Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
     are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
     who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Sermon

(Moment of silence or hymn)

Nicene Creed (according to the tradition of the Eastern Churches)

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
 

Sharing Christ's Light

A piece of dark blue cloth is hung to evoke the night sky, on which a large star is placed. Paper stars are made available for the worshippers, who are invited to come forward and add their stars to the cloth.

L A star led the Magi to Christ. Today this star points to the presence of Christ, who has been revealed to us and whose light shines on us. As the Magi followed the star to Bethlehem, we gather under this star today, adding our own stars to the sky, uniting our own gifts and prayers for the visible unity of Church. As we journey towards that goal, may our lives together give a luminous witness that leads others to know Christ.

Prayers of Intercession

L With faith and confidence, we come in prayer, before God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

R The Magi came from the East to pay homage and offer special gifts from their cultures and countries.

We pray today for all Christian communities around the world in all of their diversity of worship and tradition:
Lord we ask you to preserve these treasures, particularly in areas of the world where the presence and survival of Christians is threatened by violence and oppression.

C: O, Lord, hear our prayer. (spoken or sung)

R The early years of the Lord's life were marked by violence and massacres at the orders of the despot Herod.

We pray for children living in places in the world where violence continues and where its results are tangible:
Strengthen, O Lord, the bonds of unity and mutual love among our churches and help us to cooperate and witness to your holy Name. Inspire us to work without ceasing in order to defend the oppressed and include the marginalized. Encourage us to stand together in the face of tyranny and oppressive regimes as we seek your Kingdom among us.

C: O, Lord, hear our prayer.

R After the visit of the Magi, the holy family experienced migration through the wilderness and became refugees in the land of Egypt.

 We pray for all the refugees and uprooted people in this world:
Equip us, Lord, to show hospitality to those driven from their homes, and grant us the spirit of welcome to those looking for a safe haven.

C: O, Lord, hear our prayer.

R The birth of Jesus was good news for all, gathering people from different nations and religions in worship of the holy child.

We pray for our efforts to seek harmony and dialogue with other religions: Lord, give us humility and patience to walk with others with respect on their journey.

C: O, Lord, hear our prayer.

R The Magi returned to their home by a different way.

 We pray for our churches in this changing world:
Lord, help us to find new and creative ways to follow you and to witness to you so that the world may believe.

C: O, Lord, hear our prayer.

R When the Magi saw the holy child, they rejoiced with great joy.

Heavenly Father, fix our eyes on him so we do not lose our way. Unite us in the Lord Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life, and who has taught us to pray, saying:

C Our Father in heaven...

Hymn
 
Sending and Blessing
(Based on Ephesians 5 and 6.)

L Go now and live as children of light.

C For the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.

L Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness.

C Let us wake from sleep and Christ will shine upon us.

L Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

C Amen. Thanks be to God.


Parting Hymn
 


BIBLICAL REFLECTIONS AND PRAYERS FOR THE EIGHT DAYS

The reflections for the eight days and the worship service will be focused on the text from Matthew. The themes for the eight days are:

Day 1: "We observed his star in the East" (Mt 2:2)
Raise us up and draw us to your perfect light

Day 2:  "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?" (Mt 2:2)
Humble leadership breaks down walls and builds up with love

Day 3:  "When king Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him" (Mt 2:3)
The presence of Christ, turning the world upside down

Day 4: "And you, Bethlehem...are by no means least" (Mt 2:6)
Though small and suffering, we lack nothing

Day 5: "Ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising" (Mt 2:9)
Guided by the one Lord

Day 6:"They saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage" (Mt 2:11)
Gathered in worship around the One Lord

Day 7: "Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Mt 2:11)
The gifts of communion

Day 8:"They left for their own country by another road" (Mt 2:12)
Beyond the familiar routes of separation to God's new paths  

DAY 1
"We observed his star in the East" (Mt 2:2)
Raise us up and draw us to your perfect light

 
Readings

Zech 4:1-7
I see a lampstand all of gold

And the angel who talked with me came again, and waked me, like a man that is wakened out of his sleep. And he said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps which are on the top of it. And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left." And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" Then the angel who talked with me answered me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." Then he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerub'babel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerub'babel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'"

Ps 139:1-10
Your right hand shall hold me fast

O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me!
Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up;
    thou discernest my thoughts from afar.
Thou searchest out my path and my lying down,
    and art acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou dost beset me behind and before,
    and layest thy hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high, I cannot attain it.

Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?
    Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend to heaven, thou art there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there!
If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there thy hand shall lead me,
    and thy right hand shall hold me.

2 Tim 1:7-10
This grace has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.

Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Jn 16:7-14
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth
 
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

"I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Reflection
In this fragile and uncertain world, we look for a light, a ray of hope from afar. In the midst of evil, we long for goodness. We look for the good within ourselves, but so often we are overwhelmed by our weakness that hope fails us. Our confidence rests in the God we worship. God, in his wisdom, enabled us to hope for divine intervention; but we had not anticipated that God's intervention would be a person, and that the Lord himself would be the light in our midst. This exceeded all our expectations. God's gift to us is a 'spirit of power, and love'. Not by relying on our own strength and ability are we drawn forward on the way to this perfect light, but rather by God's Holy Spirit.

In the midst of humanity's darkness the star from the East shone. In it we see a light that penetrates the depths of the darkness that separates us from one another. The star's light was not only an illumination at a particular historical moment but it continues to shine and change the face of history. Throughout the ages, and ever since the star first appeared, the world has come to know through the lives of Christ's followers the hope that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. These give witness to God's work in history, and to the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Despite the vicissitudes of history and the changing of circumstances, the Risen One continues to shine, moving within the flow of history like a beacon guiding all into this perfect light and overcoming the darkness which separates us from one another.

The desire to overcome the darkness that separates us compels us to pray and work for Christian unity.

Prayer
Lord God, illumine our path by the light of Christ who moves before us and leads us. Enlighten us and dwell within us. Guide us to discover a small manger in our hearts where a great light still sleeps. Creator of light, we thank you for the gift of that unfading Star, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. May he be a beacon for our pilgrimage. Heal our divisions and draw us closer to the Light that we may find our unity in him. Amen.
 


DAY 2
 "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?" (Mt 2:2)
Humble leadership breaks down walls and builds up with love
 

Readings


Jer 23:1-6
He shall reign as king and deal wisely

"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, says the Lord.

"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The Lord is our righteousness.'

Ps 46
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
    God will help her right early.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has wrought desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
    he burns the chariots with fire!
"Be still, and know that I am God.
    I am exalted among the nations,
    I am exalted in the earth!"
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Phil 2:5-11

Who... did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Mt 20:20-28
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve

Then the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

 
Reflection
Jeremiah denounces the bad leadership of the kings of Israel who divided and scattered the people. Theirs was a leadership that destroyed nations and drove their citizens into exile. In contrast, the Lord promises a shepherd-king who will 'execute justice and righteousness in the land' and gather together the members of his flock.

Our world craves good leadership and is constantly seeking someone who will fulfil this desire. Where can one find such a leader? Only in Christ have we seen the example of a king or leader after God's heart. As we are called to follow him, we are also called to emulate his way of servant-kingship in the world and in the Church. In Christ we encounter one who does not tear down and divide but builds up and makes whole for the glory of God's name. His rule is not self-serving and he does not use force. Rather in Him we encounter a loving, humble servant who does not regard equality with God as something to be exploited. He is one who comes to serve, rather than be served, and his followers are called to do the same.

Today, the Middle East is experiencing the loss of its people to exile as 'righteousness and justice' are becoming scarce commodities not only there but throughout the world. Yet we have a hope that will not be shaken even if 'the nations are in an uproar' and 'the kingdoms totter' around us.

Leaders, both in the world and in the Church, have responsibility to bring together rather than to scatter or divide the people of God. So much division in the world and in the Church is caused by the desire for position, power and self-advantage. The more faithfully Christians emulate the servant leadership of Christ the more division in both the world and the Church will be overcome. As we work for righteousness, justice and peace for the wellbeing of all, we witness humbly to the shepherd-king, and draw others into His presence.

Prayer
God, our only refuge and strength, we glorify you for you are a just and righteous God. We confess before you that we often covet worldly models of leadership. Help us to seek our Lord Jesus Christ not in the palaces of the powerful but in the humble manger and to emulate him in his meekness. Encourage us to empty ourselves as we serve each other in obedience to you.

We pray in the name of Christ who with you and with the Holy Spirit reigns forever in glory. Amen.
 

DAY 3
 "When king Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him" (Mt 2:3)
The presence of Christ, turning the world upside down
 
Readings

Neh 4:18-21
So we laboured from break of dawn until the stars came out

And each of the builders had his sword girded at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, "The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us."

So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn till the stars came out.

Ps 2:1-10
Why do the nations conspire?

Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
"Let us burst their bonds asunder,
    and cast their cords from us."

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord has them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
"I have set my king
    on Zion, my holy hill."

I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, "You are my son,
    today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron,
    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.

2 Thess 2:13-3:5
But the Lord is faithful, he will strengthen you

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as it did among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things which we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.


Mt 2:1-5
He was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet."

 
Reflection
The Lord has come amongst us. Christ's coming disturbs the ways of the world. In contrast to so many national leaders, the Lord comes in humility denouncing the evil of injustice and oppression that accompanies the ambition for power and status. The coming of Jesus calls for a change of heart and a transformation of life, so that people will be liberated from all that dehumanizes them and causes them suffering. Jesus shows us that God is with those who suffer because each person has a dignity as God's beloved child. Thus, Jesus' presence creates disturbance precisely because He rocks the boat of the rich and the powerful who work only for their own interests and
neglect the common good. But, for those who work for peace and unity, Christ's coming brings the light of hope.

Today, we are invited to commit ourselves to the constructive action of making justice a reality in our world. This implies the need to reflect and acknowledge the instances when our ways are not God's ways of justice and peace. When Christians work together for justice and peace our efforts are more powerful. And when Christians work together in this way, the answer to our Prayer for Christian unity is made visible such that others recognise in us Christ's presence in the world today. Through our words and actions, we can bring the light of hope to so many who are still living in the darkness of political unrest, social poverty, and structural discrimination. The Good News is that God is faithful, and He is always the one strengthening us and protecting us from harm, and inspiring us to work for the good of others, especially those living in the darkness of suffering, hatred, violence and pain.

Prayer
O Lord, you have guided us out of darkness to Jesus. You have illumined the star of hope in our lives. Help us to be united in our commitment to bring about your Reign of love, justice and peace and so to be the light of hope to all those living in the darkness of despair and disillusionment. Take our hand, Lord, so we can see you in our daily lives. As we follow you, remove our fear and anxiety. Shine your light upon us and set our hearts on fire so that your love surrounds us with warmth. Lift us up to you, you who have emptied yourself for our sake, so that our lives may glorify you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
 

DAY 4
"And you, Bethlehem are by no means least" (Mt 2:6)
Though small and suffering, we lack nothing
 
Readings

Mic 5:2-5a, 7-8
From you shall come forth one who is to rule in Israel

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
    from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in travail has brought forth;
then the rest of his brethren shall return
    to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
And this shall be peace.

Then the remnant of Jacob shall be
    in the midst of many peoples
like dew from the Lord,
    like showers upon the grass,
which tarry not for men
    nor wait for the sons of men.
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations,
    in the midst of many peoples,
like a lion among the beasts of the forest,
    like a young lion among the flocks of sheep,
which, when it goes through, treads down
    and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver.

Ps 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
    he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
    he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
    thy rod and thy staff,
    they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
    my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.

1 Pet 2: 21-25
Now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Lk 12:32-40
Do not be afraid, little flock

"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

"Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour."

 
Reflection
From the small and lowly city of Bethlehem, the Lord, the Son of God, made his entrance into the world. From the womb of a humble village girl, he took human flesh, and chose to live his humanity in obscurity and simplicity. He became a grain in

the field, yeast in the dough, and a small ray of light to our eyes, and that light has filled the earth. Out of the obscurity of Ephrata has come a ruler, the shepherd and guardian of our souls. And though he is our shepherd, he became the Lamb who carried the sins of the world that we might be healed.

Though of little significance among the great clans of Judah, Bethlehem was made great because of the birth of the Shepherd of all shepherds, the King of all kings. Bethlehem, a name that means the "house of bread", can be a metaphor for the Church that brings to the world the bread of life. The Church, the Bethlehem of today, continues to be the place where the weak, the powerless and the small are welcome because in her each has a place. The gathering of these grains becomes the harvest. The united yeast becomes a powerful force. The concentrated rays become a guiding light.

In the midst of political turmoil, a growing culture of greed, and the abuse of power in this world, Christians, like others in the Middle East, suffer persecution and experience a sense of marginalisation, living in fear of violence and injustice. Yet, they are not afraid because the Shepherd walks with them, gathering them into one fold and making them a sign of his loving presence. United, they are the yeast that leavens the batch. In Christ they find a model of humility, and from him they hear a call to overcome divisions and to be united in one flock. Though they are few, in their suffering they follow in the steps of the Lamb who suffered for the world's salvation. Though few they are sure in hope, lacking nothing.

Prayer
Good Shepherd, the fragmentation of the little flock grieves your Holy Spirit. Forgive our weak efforts and slowness in the pursuit of your will. Give us wise shepherds after your own heart who recognise the sin of division, and who will lead the churches with righteousness and holiness, to unity in you. We ask you, Lord, to hear our prayer. Amen.
 

DAY 5
"Ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising" (Mt 2:9)
Guided by the one Lord

 
Readings

Ex 13:17-14:4
The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt." But God led the people round by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him; for Joseph had solemnly sworn the people of Israel, saying, "God will visit you; then you must carry my bones with you from here." And they moved on from Succoth, and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night; the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-ha-hi-roth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Ba'al-ze'phon; you shall encamp over against it, by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, 'They are entangled in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord." And they did so.

Ps 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come?

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From whence does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved,
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade
    on your right hand.
The sun shall not smite you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and for evermore.

Rev 22:5-9
For the Lord God will be their light

And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.

And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place. And behold, I am coming soon."

Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

I John am he who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brethren the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

Mt 2:7-10
Ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Reflection
Again and again the scriptures tell us how the Lord God walks with his people, protects them, and watches over them day and night. The path may not always be straight: sometimes we are led to retrace our steps, and at other times to return by a different route. But in all our journeying through life, we can be confident that God, who neither "sleeps nor slumbers", protects us lest our feet slip and we fall.

Even in the greatest darkness, God's light is with us. His light shines out through the prophets sent to guide God's people on the way set before them and to remind them of the covenant. Most perfectly, in the fullness of time, God sends His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He is the guiding light for all nations, the glory of God in the world, the source of divine life, sealing a new covenant in his blood.

The way ahead into unity with one another, and so into closer union with Christ, is not always clear. In our earnest attempts to build unity ourselves it is all too easy to lose sight of this fundamental message of the scriptures: that God does not abandon his people even in their failures and divisiveness. Not only is this a message of hope for Christians, but for the whole world. As the story of the Magi reminds us, God guides people of all kinds, with the light of the star, to where Christ, the light of the world, is to be found.

God sends the Holy Spirit whose light enables us to see with the eyes of faith the truth of the divine Child, and the call to unity and the reconciliation of all things in Him. It is this Spirit that leads us from darkness and tragedy into Christ's light and life.

Prayer
O Lord God our Father, you sent the star to lead the Magi to your only begotten Son. Increase our hope in you and let us know at all times that you are walking with us, watching over your people. Teach us to follow the guidance of your Holy Spirit, however strange the path may seem, so that we may be led to our unity in Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Open our eyes to your Spirit, and encourage us in our faith, so that we may confess that Jesus is Lord, and worship and rejoice in him as the Magi did in Bethlehem.

We ask you these blessings in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
  

DAY 6
"They saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage" (Mt 2:11)
Gathered in worship around the One Lord

 
Readings

Ex 3:1-6
Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Mid'ian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and lo, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, "I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt." When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here am I." Then he said, "Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Ps 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

How lovely is thy dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yea, faints
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
    to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may lay her young,
at thy altars, O Lord of hosts,
    my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in thy house,
    ever singing thy praise!

Blessed are the men whose strength is in thee,
    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca
    they make it a place of springs;
    the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
    the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
    give ear, O God of Jacob!
Behold our shield, O God;
    look upon the face of thine anointed!

For a day in thy courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
    from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
    blessed is the man who trusts in thee!

Rev 4:8-11
Worship the one who lives forever and ever

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within, and day and night they never cease to sing,

"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!"

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,

"Worthy art thou, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for thou didst create all things,
and by thy will they existed and were created."

Mt 28:16-20
When they saw him, they worshipped him

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."  


Reflection

When the Magi from their far-away countries arrived at Bethlehem and saw the child with his mother, they worshipped him. In the presence of this revelation of God among us, eyes are cast down and knees are bent. Similarly at the sight of the burning bush, Moses hid his face, afraid to look at God. When the disciples saw the risen Christ on the mountain in Galilee, they were amazed and troubled. Yet they worshipped him. In the heavenly liturgy, the twenty-four elders fall before Him who sits on the throne. Encountering God's presence, we respond thus: gazing, followed by amazement, leading to worship.

Do we see? Are we amazed? Are we truly worshipping? How many times do we see without perceiving, our eyes remaining blind to God's presence? How can we worship in truth if we do not see first? In our narrow vision, too often we see only our tangled disagreements, forgetting that the one Lord has given his saving grace to us all, and that we share in the one Spirit who draws us into unity. Often in our pride we follow our own laws and human traditions, whilst often disregarding the love we are called to share as one people justified by Christ's blood, with a common faith in Jesus as our Saviour.

As communities enlivened by the Holy Spirit, our churches call us to walk together towards the Christ-Child to offer him homage as one people. The Spirit of compassion guides us to each other, and together guides us all to our one Lord. Only by following this guide will we be able to "worship in spirit and truth". Our future in God is a future of unity and love; our way to this destination must reflect that same truth of one-ness in Christ.
  


Prayer
Compassionate God, you gave the blind the insight to recognise you as their Saviour, enable us to repent. In your mercy, remove the scales from our eyes and lead us to worship you as our God and Redeemer. In the midst of our sorrow and despite the depth of our sins, give us the capacity to love you with all our hearts. May we journey together guided by your light, with one heart and one mind, as were the very first disciples. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon us, so that together we glorify you in the Spirit's fellowship, and witness to all those around us. Amen.
 

DAY 7
"Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Mt 2:11)
The gifts of communion

 
Readings

Hos 6:1-6
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice

"Come, let us return to the Lord;
for he has torn, that he may heal us;
    he has stricken, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
    on the third day he will raise us up,
    that we may live before him.
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
    his going forth is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
    as the spring rains that water the earth."

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
    What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
    like the dew that goes early away.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets,
    I have slain them by the words of my mouth,
    and my judgment goes forth as the light.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
    the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.

Ps 100
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
    Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord is God!
    It is he that made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him, bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures for ever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Acts 3:1-10
I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, "Look at us." And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Mt 6:19-21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

 
Reflection

In our journey to Bethlehem, the city of bread, we contemplate the wise men who came to pay homage to the Christ-child. They opened their treasures, and offered the new-born king their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Our historical divisions, our wrong-headed fixation with rules and rituals, and our preoccupation with worldly matters, have broken us apart. So, what gifts have we prepared to offer to the king who comes to illuminate our lives and lead us to the grace of unity? We know that God does not want our riches or burnt offerings, but rather that his power works through our poverty: "I have no silver or gold". The Lord desires our beating and loving hearts: hearts full of love for Him and for our brothers and sisters in Christ from whom we are separated; hearts flowing with acts of mercy; and hearts truly penitent and desiring change.

Let us then prepare for him the gift of a heart full of love. Kneeling in worship requires hearts that are contrite for the sin that divides us and obedient to the One we serve. This obedience revives, heals and reconciles everything that is broken or wounded in us, around us, and among us as Christians.

Christ has already given the gift of unity to his Church. We grow in communion as we share the graces our different traditions have received, acknowledging that the source of all our gifts is the Lord.


Prayer
All praise, glory and thanksgiving to you, O God. You have revealed yourself in the epiphany of your Son both to those who have long awaited your coming, and to those who were not expecting you. You know the suffering that surrounds us, the pain caused by our divisions. You see the world struggling and the deteriorating situation in the Middle East today - the place where you chose to be born, which was sanctified by your presence. We ask you to enable our hearts and our minds to know you. As we join the wise men coming from afar, we pray that you open our hearts to your love and to the love of our brothers and sisters around us. Give us the will and the means to work towards the transformation of this world and to offer each other gifts that may nurture our communion. Grant us your endless gifts and blessings. Receive our prayer in the name of your Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 

DAY 8
"They left for their own country by another road" (Mt 2:12)
Beyond the familiar routes of separation to God's new paths

 
Readings

Jer 31:31-34
I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel

"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each man teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

Ps16
You show me the path of life

Preserve me, O God, for in thee I take refuge.
    I say to the Lord, "Thou art my Lord;
    I have no good apart from thee."

As for the saints in the land, they are the noble,
    in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
    their libations of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    thou holdest my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    yea, I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
    my body also dwells secure.
For thou dost not give me up to Sheol,
    or let thy godly one see the Pit.

Thou dost show me the path of life;
    in thy presence there is fulness of joy,
    in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Eph 4:20-23
To be renewed in the spirit of your minds

You did not so learn Christ! -- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds.

Mt 11:25-30
 Because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent, and have revealed them to infants

At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  


Reflection

We do not know what the wise men thought - they who were experts in astronomy and navigation - when they were warned to return by another road. They may well have been very confused, but the same light that illumined their journey showed them that there was another road, another possibility. They were called to change direction.

We often find ourselves bound by our familiar ways of doing things and of seeing the world. When these ways or 'roads' are closed, we wonder how to proceed and continue the journey. God's divine providence is always there to show us that there is another way prepared for us. God is there to renew His covenant and lift us up from

the frustration we experience when we meet an obstacle. We only have to trust that the everlasting One who gave us the light, can always find a way forward when our ways and paths are blocked. A fresh start is always possible when we are willing and open to the work of the Spirit. As churches we look to the past and find illumination, and we look to the future in search of new ways so that we can continue to shine the light of the Gospel with renewed fervour and welcome each other as Christ welcomed us for the glory of God.

On the old familiar roads Christian communities have walked apart from one another. On the new roads to which God calls us, Christians walk together and become pilgrim companions. Finding these new roads demands discernment, humility and courage. Now is the time for conversion and reconciliation.


Prayer
Gracious God, when we only know one way and we think we must return to it, and when we think that all roads are blocked, and we fall into despair, we always find you there. You are the God of renewed promises. We find you creating a new path before us, one that we did not expect. We thank you because you exceed our expectations. We thank you for your wisdom that surpasses our understanding. We thank you because your creative paths open up unforeseen possibilities. If we search our maps and find no route, nonetheless we always find you, who lead us by a yet more excellent way. We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, that you will always lead us back to you. Amen.
 
 
  

THE MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES


This text is reproduced under the sole authority and responsibility of Middle East Council of Churches which wrote the source texts for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022.
 
The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is a fellowship of Churches which share belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Redeemer in accordance with Holy Scriptures and Church Tradition. Founded in 1974, the Council succeeded the Near East Council of Churches (founded in 1962). The Council is a regional ecumenical body, which brings together Churches for a common Christian witness in the region where Christ was born, lived, died, was buried and rose from the dead. Geographically MECC's work extends from Iran down to the Gulf in the East, to the Mediterranean Sea and Egypt in the West. It was originally formed of three Church families: the Evangelical, the Oriental Orthodox and the Eastern Orthodox. In the year 1990, the Catholic family of Churches joined the Council, adding a fourth family. Together these Churches endeavour to fulfil their common mission and realize their desired unity to the glory of the one God.
 
Mission
As a tangible expression of the Christian presence in the region, the Council's mission is to work towards the unity of Christians through the convergence of visions, perspectives and attitudes among the Churches of the Middle East, especially on issues related to Christian presence and witness and Christian-Muslim relations. In particular, the Council's mission is seen today as being:

" A bridge between Churches, removing barriers and prejudice, and building a common witness to the resurrected Lord. As an ecumenical body, MECC brings together the vast majority of Churches in the Middle East providing them with a space to gather, pray, reflect, analyse, speak with a common voice, and act and witness together.

" A bridge between Christians and peoples of other religions in the region, especially with Muslims. MECC reinforces and develops dialogue and partnerships with Muslims aimed at strengthening and deepening friendship and peace between peoples for the good of humanity.

" A bridge between the Middle East and the rest of the Christian world. MECC seeks to be a mediator between Churches in the region and their brothers and sisters in Christ elsewhere.

 
Ecumenical Actuality and Challenges in the Middle East
Despite complex geopolitical circumstances, and global, regional and local challenges, the Middle East Council of Churches is determined to continue to promote theological and ecumenical reflection in the Middle East. It accomplishes this mission mainly through strengthening ecumenical education, communication and networking. The Council also develops dialogue and just peace initiatives. Moreover, MECC pursues its ecumenical, humanitarian and developmental efforts by helping the most vulnerable gain access to basic needs and rights. Thanks to the trust that MECC enjoys, and which it has built up over the years, its work is supported by generous contributions from member Churches as well as by ecumenical and global partner bodies. MECC recognizes the key role played by partners in pursuing and achieving its objectives that aim at upholding human dignity and the care for God's creation.

The Middle East Council of Churches' decision to consolidate its regional ecumenical reach is paramount and it is committed to making the voice of the Churches heard in all regional and international forums. Participating alongside dialogue partners in new initiatives based on a "partnership in citizenship", it embraces diversity, and serves to strengthen the apostolic mission, witness and constructive role of Christians in the region. Such initiatives pave the way for a cross cultural exchange of perspectives and values beyond ideological and dogmatic differences.

Moreover, the churches in the Middle East are facing various challenges that affect their ecumenical life and witness, many of which have deep roots in the region's history, its religious and cultural traditions, successive economic crises and geopolitical power struggles that continue to affect the region. The first and most significant current challenge relates to the very continuation of the Christian presence in the region. Since the Palestinian Nakba in 1948 several decades-long conflicts and political turmoil in various countries of the region, such as Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Egypt, have led to a growing trend of Christian emigration, thereby tragically decreasing the number of the faithful and threatening the stability of the Christian presence.

Nevertheless, as well as phases of stagnation and decline, the long history of Christianity in the Middle East region has also seen phases of revival and rebirth. While some focus on the diminishing Christian presence in the Middle East, others place more emphasis on the quality of the witness and spiritual life that animates these communities. These two views are far from being mutually exclusive. They are intimately related since the Christian presence only makes sense if it is to serve a mission. The main mission of Christians in this region today lies in their ability to witness together with their partners in citizenship to the safeguarding of diversity, be it human, ecumenical or interreligious, and to building resilience in the midst of the various common challenges they are facing.

The 21st century has seen yet another turning point in the dramatic history of the Middle East. The past two decades have witnessed profound changes at all levels of society coupled with the collapse of the apparatus of government in several countries.

The region has suffered continuing military conflict, weakened economic resilience and social structures, forced demographic changes, and the neglect of value systems.

Christian witness and presence in the Middle East have been profoundly impacted by these protracted crises and conflicts, and therefore it is becoming crucial that all ecumenical partners and other humanitarian and developmental bodies are able to properly comprehend the current context and consequences of the dramatic decrease in the number of Christians. Many Western interventions in the Middle East are based on a "Western Perception" of what the East needs. These interventions so far have not sufficiently taken into consideration the perspectives of the Churches and the people of the Middle East. Churches, individuals, and governments are questioning the viability of Christian witness and therefore of the very future of Christianity in the Middle East. Consequently, the Christian communities are rethinking the role of Church and its institutions. What model of "partnership in citizenship", of diversity and coexistence with Muslims and Jews, can Christians offer to the region and to a globalized world? And finally, what is the prophetic role of the Middle East Council of Churches for a renewed, just, peaceful and sustainable Middle East?
 

Facing the Challenges
In order to face these challenges, the MECC is setting different models for its work as follows:

1. Striving to accomplish an ecclesial and theological renewal that would transform its common ministry by stressing the vital role of youth, disadvantaged by social injustice as well as by pervading violence. The difficulties faced by young people are exacerbated by the internet and social media, which entice them to question the future of their life in the region

2. Expanding already existing models of coexistence, hospitality and religious diversity in the face of a widespread polarization of loyalties. In this respect the MECC strives to respond to the desperate plight of refugees in the region and to meet the needs of migrants, such as the many domestic workers. MECC also works for the restoration of a just and viable peace for all. It is particularly concerned about the absence of a durable and just solution for Palestinian refugees, the continued slow but steady expulsion of Palestinians from Jerusalem and the West Bank, and the continued marginalization of, and discrimination against, Palestinians in other countries around the region. This unjust treatment demeans the dignity, rights and opportunities for a population traumatized by years of displacement. MECC's Department for Services for Palestinian refugees (DSPR) is therefore as pertinent as ever.

 
Encouraged as it is by the determination of most Heads of Churches to preserve MECC as a body despite all the existing challenges it faces, and sustained by the expressed feeling and support of Christian theologians, Churches and community leaders in the region in its efforts to promote synergy and cohesion between Christians, MECC continues to work and pray that the Light of Christ should shine ever more brightly in the East.


THE PREPARATION OF THE MATERIAL FOR THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2022
 
The international group appointed jointly by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches to prepare the texts for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was unable to meet face-to-face this year due to the current pandemic, and therefore had to work on these texts remotely.

The PCPCU had entrusted the Middle East Council of Churches based in Beirut, Lebanon, with the task of choosing the theme and preparing draft texts for the Week of Prayer 2022. They chose the theme, "We have seen his star in the East and have come to pay homage to him" (Mt 2:2). More than ever, in these difficult times, we need a light that shines in the darkness and that light, Christians proclaim, has been manifested in Jesus Christ.

In a region of the world where human rights are habitually trampled underfoot by unjust political and economic interests, in the face of an unprecedented international health crisis and bearing the human and material consequences of the serious explosion that devastated Beirut on August 4, 2020, the local ecumenical group nevertheless made every effort to present the results of its work by participating in the online meetings. We thank them wholeheartedly and pray that greater unity among Christians in the Middle East and around the world may contribute to a more dignified, just and peaceful life for all men and women in our time and in the times to come.
 
Participants in the International Team:

Revd Father Martin Browne, OSB Glenstal Abbey (Ireland)
Ms Anne-Noelle Clement Unite Chretienne (France)
Revd Anthony Currer Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Vatican)
Dr Ani Ghazaryan Drissi Programme Executive of the Faith and Order Secretariat at the World Council of Churches (Switzerland)
Revd Dr Jochen Wagner Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen in Deutschland (Germany)
Dr Hanne Lamparter German Lutheran Church (Germany)
Sr Leticia Candelario Lopez Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity (Singapore)
Revd Dr Odair Pedroso Mateus Director of Faith and Order - WCC (Switzerland)
Revd Father James Puglisi, SA Friar of the Atonement, Centro Pro Unione (Italy/USA)
Revd Dr Mikie Roberts Programme Executive for Spiritual Life - WCC (Switzerland)
Dr Clare Watkins University of Roehampton (England)
 
Participants from the Middle East Council of Churches
Revd Father Dr Boulos Wehbe Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch (Lebanon)
Revd Dr Rima Nasrallah Evangelical National Church (Lebanon)
Revd Father Dr Roger Akhrass Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch (Syria)
Dr John Daniel Evangelical Synod of the Nile (Egypt)
Sr Emily Tannous Maronite Church (Lebanon)
Revd Father Gabriel Hachem Greek Melkite Catholic Churche of Antioch (Lebanon)