Reflections" regarding THE PATH TO COMMUNION (continued) Prayer  ~~  "Come Spirit of Love!  Come that we may be one, as the Father and You are One.   One united with You!     One united through our Baptism  in FAITH and in LOVE!"

Elements of communion with other Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities

A great desire of  Pope John Paul II  is the ultimate UNITY  of the  Roman Catholic   and  Eastern Orthodox Church.

It is also his ardent desire for the  UNITY  of  ALL CHRISTIAN churches!

Jesus Christ instituted ONE Baptism  and Pope John Paul II reminds us that it is by virtue of our  Baptism, that

we all become brothers and sisters in the Lord!  

The Synod Fathers had numerous thoughts about this desired COMMUNION, but it was suggested that as a starting place, "... Catholic Christians, Pastors and faithful  

foster cooperation among Christians of the different confessions,

in the NAME OF THE GOSPEL,

in response to the CRY OF THE POOR,

by the PROMOTION OF JUSTICE,

by COMMON PRAYER FOR UNITY,

by SHARING IN THE WORD OF GOD

Our Holy Father strongly encourages the meeting of experts from the different churches of all faiths, except those that belong to sects, cults, and other false religious movements, in order for this to be accomplished.

The Church's relations with Jewish communities

Pope John Paul II reminds us that regarding the people of Jewish heritage, 
we have a "special" relationship with the Jewish people through the HISTORY OF SALVATION!  

We have to remember that JESUS BEGAN HIS CHURCH WITHIN THE JEWISH NATION!  

The first five books of the Old Testament, 
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy 
we share in common with the Jewish people.  
Pope John Paul II reminds us that "in order to be a blessing for the world, Jews and Christians need first to be a blessing for each other."

Non-Christian religions

The Synod Fathers instruct us that regarding non-Christian religions, the Catholic Church does not reject anything that is TRUE and HOLY within them.  They remind us that we must not discriminate or persecute persons "on the basis of race, color, condition of life or religion.  

Difference of religion must never be a cause of violence or war.  Instead persons of different beliefs must feel themselves drawn, precisely because of these beliefs, to work together for peace and justice."

Abraham, himself, was a servant to three angels which appeared to him outside of his tent. Genesis 18:2, "And when he had lifted up his eyes, there appeared to him three men standing near him:  and as soon as he saw them he ran to meet them from the door of his tent, and adored down to the ground." Because "Muslims, like Christians and Jews,  call Abraham (Genesis 17:2-5) their father,"  we should as Christians, Jews and Muslims live together  as the CHILDREN OF GOD which we are  and  that by imitating Abraham we become the servant to others and work together in order to promote the common good!

 Our Holy Father exhorts us that we, as the 
CHURCH IN AMERICA,  
should also foster good relationships with those people from 

native American religions,

 Hinduism and Buddhism,                     BUT reminds us

NEVER TO COMPROMISE OUR CATHOLIC BELIEFS! THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS THE ONE-TRUE CHURCH ESTABLISHED BY JESUS CHRIST when He stated these powerful words~~ And I say to thee:  That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16, verse 18) With these words, the primacy, or office and jurisdiction of the Pope was established when Peter was handed, by Jesus Christ, Himself,  the Keys of the Kingdom. THE CHURCH IS Christ's BODY (Ephesians 1:22-23) THE CHURCH IS THE PILLAR OF TRUTH (Timothy 3:15)    ***REMEMBER, if you separate yourself from the Pope, you have separated yourself from the Church established by Jesus Christ 2000 years ago, as the Catholic Church is the only church which is able to trace this primacy, or jurisdiction, back to the original Peter.    Just as Christ is the SAME ~~yesterday, today and always, His Church is the SAME~~yesterday, today and always!