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This is part of a series of posts based on the Churches Together in England publication one light: one world. If you click on the link you will find the biblical texts. This post of the same name covers the purpose of this series.
Psalm 85: 10 - 11
So, our calling is to be united, not in the sense of establishing a single church under one authority but in the sense of us learning to love one another despite our differences. There are still intractable prejudices but the ecumenical movement's higher calling is to effect reconciliation in the Holy Spirit between all those who look to Christ as saviour. And of course this is a precursor to that greater Oikoumene, the reconciliation of all things to God.
This psalm is intriguing because it suggests, during the Old Testament period there were some who saw the need for reconciliaiton between God and humanity and the real possibility of effecting it.
We've come a long way since this psalm was written and to many it might seem we have moved further from this vision.
But the point is, we are not alone and despite the failure of our best efforts, we still experience God as prepared to meet us more than half way.
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