For having called us to faith in baptism,

for the communion we share in the New Covenant,

for your presence in the holy Church. R/

 

For the witness of persecuted Christians,

for the suffering of their martyrdom,

for their participation in Christ’s passion. R/

 

For all servants of communion,

for those who pray and work for the reconciliation of churches,

for those who offer their lives for unity. R/

 

 

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

 

Have mercy on me, O God,

    according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

    blot out my transgressions.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

 

 

Such is the power of faith in Christ, such the excess of his grace: As the element of fire, when it meets with ore from the mine, straightway of earth makes it gold, even so and much more baptism makes those who are washed to be of gold instead of clay. The Spirit at that time falling like fire into our souls, burning up the “image of the earthy”, and producing “the image of the heavenly,” fresh coined, bright and glittering, as from the furnace-mould. (John Chrysostom)

 

The Son of God descended from heaven, became human and from the abyss raised you, so that you would become a child for God. He became your brother in the womb full of holiness and made you his brother or sister in the womb of baptism. … A child for God he made you, with him, in the water so that he who is the Only Begotten acquires brothers and sisters through the second birth. For he himself by a second birth became human, by that second generation he made you a child for God. (Jacob of Sarug)

 

Man, you dared not lift up your face towards heaven, you turned your eyes towards the earth, and suddenly you received the grace of Christ ... Lift up, therefore, your eyes to the Father, who has begotten you through baptism, to the Father who has redeemed you through the Son, and say, “Our Father!(Ambrose of Milan)

 

 

 

 

 

God our Father, we praise you and bless your name.

Accept our thanksgiving for the unity Christians already enjoy

in the confession of Jesus the Lord.

Hasten the day, we beg you, of the full mutual recognition of our churches

in the communion that you desire,

and for which your Son prayed.

We ask this in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.