8 Days of Prayer for Christian Unity

"He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them" (Lk 10:34). Additional scripture passages: Joel 2:23-27; Psalm 104:14-15, 27-30.

Reflection
The Good Samaritan did what he could out of his own resources: he poured wine and oil and bandaged the man’s wounds and put him on his own animal. He went further still by promising to pay for his care.When we see the world through the Samaritan’s eyes, every situation can be an opportunity to help those in need. This is where love manifests itself. The example of the Good Samaritan motivates us to ask ourselves how to respond to our neighbour. He gave wine and oil, restoring the man and giving him hope. What can we give, so that we can be a part of God’s work of healing a broken world?

This brokenness shows itself in our world in insecurity, fear, distrust and division. Shamefully, these divisions also exist between Christians. Though we celebrate sacraments or other rituals of healing, reconciliation and consolation, often using oil and wine, we persist in divisions that wound the Body of Christ. The healing of our Christian divisions promotes the healing of the nations.

Discussion Questions
• What involvement is required on our part when we both see and respond to the need around us?
• We live in a globalized world and, often, particular needs require a collective response (such as to the environment crisis). We live on a wounded planet. How can we be part of the effort to bring the earth healing?

Prayer
Gracious God, 
You who are the source of all love and goodness:
enable us to see the needs of our neighbour.
Show us what we can do to bring about healing. 
Change us, so that we can love all our brothers and sisters. 
Help us to overcome the obstacles of division,
that we might build a world of peace for the common good. 
Thank you for renewing your Creation 
and leading us to a future which is full of hope:
you who are Lord of all, yesterday, today and forever. Amen.