• >
  • At the Wellspring of Faith >
  • Meditations and Reflections >
  • Weekly Meditations by Brother Alois >
  • Widening Our Friendship
  English
  • Community
  • At the Wellspring of Faith
  • Coming to Taizé
  • Around the World


 
  • Prayer
    • Prayers by Brother Alois
      • Daily Prayers by Brother Alois
      • Prayers by brother Alois 2015-2016
      • Easter 2017: Prayer by Brother Alois
    • Bible readings for each day
    • Prayer for Each Day
    • Prayer intentions
    • Podcasts
    • Young adults and prayer at Taizé
    • The value of silence
    • How to prepare a prayer service
      • Preparing a time of prayer
      • Prayer Vigil for the Care of Creation
      • Preparing a welcoming space for a meditative prayer
      • Icons in worship
  • Songs
    • Meditative singing
    • Learning the songs
  • Meditations and Reflections
    • A Way of the Gospel at St Stephen’s Source
    • “A very simple reality”
    • Feeling that we are not alone can strengthen our hope
    • Brotherhood begins by listening to others
    • Short meditation of the day
    • Commented Bible Passages
    • Questions on the Bible and the Christian Faith
      • Baptism
      • Children: What does it mean to “welcome God’s kingdom like a child”?
      • The Mystery of Christmas
      • The Church
      • Church and State: What does the Bible tell us about the attitude of believers towards the wider society?
      • The commandments
      • The Cosmos: The Cosmos: What is the place of human beings in the universe?
      • The Cross
      • Death: What enables us to say that Jesus died “for us”?
      • Dialogue: Religions and The Gospel
      • Eucharist
      • The Eucharist Seen by a Christian of the Second Century
      • What does it mean to evangelize?
      • Faith
      • Faith: How does the New Testament speak about faith?
      • Faith: What Is Distinctive About the Christian Faith?
      • Fear of the Lord
      • Forgiveness: If Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him, why did he keep him in the circle of his close companions until the end?
      • Forgiveness: Does forgiving mean forgetting?
      • Freedom: Am I still free if I obey a call from Christ?
      • Freedom: Is everything that happens decided by God in advance?
      • Happiness: Do we have the right to be happy when others are suffering?
      • Hell: Must a Christian believe in the existence of hell?
      • Christian hope
      • Judgment: Why did Jesus tell his disciples not to judge?
      • Love of enemies
      • Mercy
      • Mercy: If God is merciful, why does the Bible contain threats?
      • God’s presence: If God is present in everyone, what does faith add?
      • Reconciliation: What are the presuppositions for a true dialogue between Christians of different confessions?
      • Reconciliation: How can we bring together diversity and reconciliation?
      • Sin: Should we regret our sins?
      • The suffering of the innocent
      • Are the differences between Christians a problem or an asset?
      • The world : Can we really make the world better?
    • Portraits of witnesses to Christ
      • Saint Irenaeus of Lyons
      • Mother Teresa
      • Saint John Chrysostom (344 – 407): an astonishing modernity
      • Saint Augustine (354-430)
      • The Relevance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)
      • A Path of Reconciliation : Brother Roger
      • Jeremiah
      • Dorotheus of Gaza (Sixth Century) Humility and Communion
      • Franz Stock (1904-1948), a Life Given for Reconciliation
      • Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955): Taking the World Seriously
      • A prophet who comforts (Isaiah 40–55)
    • Short Writings from Taizé
      • 1. I Believe; Help My Unbelief
      • 2. Saved by the Cross of Christ?
      • 3. What Is Distinctive About the Christian Faith?
      • 4. Dialogue and Sharing with Believers of Other Religions
      • 5. Thrice Holy God
      • 6. Do We Need the Church?
      • 7. The Eucharist and the Early Christians
      • 8. It Is the Word That Is the Bread of Silence
      • 9. The Two Faces of the Cross
      • 10. Brother Roger, Founder of Taizé
      • 11. Blessed in Our Human Frailty
      • 12. Easter Voices
      • 13. Is Christ Divided?
      • 14. Pleasure, Happiness, Joy
      • 15. “Rooted and Built Up in Christ”
      • 16. Icons
      • 17. “Make the Unity of Christ’s Body Your Passionate Concern”
      • 18. “I Have Come That They May Have Life”
      • 19. The Rainbow After The Flood
      • 20. Does the Book of Revelation have something to say to us today?
      • 21. Toward God, in God
      • 22. Voices from the Beginning
      • 23. Should We Fear God?
      • 24. Unfailing Faith
      • 25. “Go, I am with you”
    • Weekly Meditations by Brother Alois
      • The Church of Reconciliation at 50
      • Christ brings us together beyond all borders
      • The Risen Christ Makes Us Passionate Seekers of Communion
      • The Wellspring of Hope
      • Visits to Keep Alive a Flame of Hope
      • Prayer with the Lakota in South Dakota
      • God’s Love, Source of Human Solidarity
      • The Courage to Be Peacemakers
      • In Memory of Brother Roger
      • In Communion with Eastern Christians
      • Christ is our hope, he is alive
      • When we share God gives us the joy of living
      • Close to Wounded Humanity
      • Promoting Universal Friendship
      • Committing Your Entire Life
      • Let us be peacemakers wherever we live
      • All of us can plant seeds of unity
      • A little parable of this universality of God’s love
      • By welcoming refugees, we receive more than we give
      • Looking towards the Light of Christ
      • Trust in God’s love was at the heart of Brother Roger’s life
      • The goodness of God will have the last word
      • Easter 2017 / Meditation by Brother Alois: Witnesses to the Risen Christ
      • Ascension 2017 / Meditation by Brother Alois: Let us set off toward new horizons
      • Find a source of hope
      • Stand firm in hope
      • Looking towards the light of the transfigured Christ
      • Simplify our lives in order to share
      • The friendship of Christ for each and every one of us
      • Allow friendship to grow in order to prepare peace
      • The Bible is the story of God’s faithfulness
      • Christ calls us to be, together, a sign of his peace among humans
      • Widening Our Friendship
      • Going together to the wellsprings of joy
      • Lent: Singing the Joy of Forgiveness
      • Easter 2019: Let the Joy of the Resurrection Spring Up!
      • Pentecost 2019: Make sure that Taizé remains a place of trust
      • The Joyful Radicalism of Saint Francis of Assisi
      • The Earth Is a Precious Gift of God
      • Christ Is Our Peace
      • Responsible for our wonderful planet
      • To Bring Everything to Light
    • Letter for the year
      • Brother Alois 2019: Let us not forget hospitality!
      • Brother Alois 2018: Inexhaustible Joy
      • Brother Alois 2017: Together, Opening Paths of Hope
      • Brother Alois 2017: A Call to Church Leaders for 2017
      • Brother Alois 2017: Towards the Unity of the European Continent
      • Brother Alois 2016: The Courage of Mercy
      • Taizé 2015
      • Brother Alois 2012-2015: Towards a New Solidarity
      • Brother Alois 2015: Four proposals in order to be “salt of the earth”.
      • Brother Alois 2014: Four Proposals for “seeking visible communion among all who love Christ”
      • Brother Alois 2013: Four Proposals to Uncover the Wellsprings of Trust in God
      • Brother Alois 2011: Letter from Chile
      • Brother Alois 2010: Letter from China
      • Brother Alois 2009: Letter from Kenya
      • For an open Europe, a land of solidarity
      • Brother Alois 2008: Letter from Cochabamba
      • Brother Alois: Letter to those who want to follow Christ
      • Brother Alois: A call for the reconciliation of Christians
      • Brother Alois 2007: Letter from Kolkata
      • 2006: Brother Roger’s unfinished letter
      • Brother Roger 2005: A future of peace
    • Letter from Taizé: Testimonies
      • Sharing what we have
      • What are you doing with your freedom?
      • For a Fraternal World
      • Opting for Joy
      • Unlimited Compassion
      • Desire for Forgiveness
    • Towards a new solidarity
      • "Towards a new solidarity": 2012-2015: Three Years of Searching
      • Reflection Group "Towards a New Solidarity": In Taizé, reflecting more deeply with young people
      • Themes
        • Leaping Over Walls of Separation
        • Solidarity with All Creation
        • Indignation, Passivity or Commitment
        • Peace to Those Who Are Near
      • Listening to young people...
        • Listening to the Young People of Asia
        • Listening to the Young People of Europe
        • Towards a new solidarity: Listening to the Youth of America
        • Listening to young people from Oceania
 

Widening Our Friendship

Thursday July 12 | Taizé, Church of Reconciliation

This week in Taizé is very international. This diversity is present at every moment of our life: in common prayer with readings in many languages, for the communication in small sharing-groups or work-teams and, first and foremost, through the personal encounters that we can all have.

A bit later, a child will read the list of all the countries represented, which also includes the countries, often very far away, of the many volunteers who are spending the summer in Taizé, together with those who are here for a year. Their presence is very important and I would like to express to them them tonight many thanks for their commitment.


A few days ago, we had a special meeting here in Taizé: the second "weekend of friendship" between 300 young Christians and Muslims, who were able to discover each other and create many bonds of friendship.

It was a sign of hope to be able to live together this experience of fraternity, while also being aware of our differences. When we are firmly rooted in our faith, there is nothing to fear from a dialogue with those who think differently ... and true friendship is even possible. That is our experience.

In the world as it is, such opportunities for dialogue and friendship seem to me essential. Faced with the rise of fears and the violence that often seems to gain the upper hand, let us always make the choice of trusting in our relationships with others.

Expanding our friendship! With all my heart I would like to invite you to this adventure. We must not just stay in the circle of those who are already close to us. When we go beyond borders, our life finds a fullness.


All of us need a sense of belonging, to feel part of a family, a group, a country. At the same time, there is a need in us to be open to new horizons. Our identity is impoverished when we draw a circle that encloses us.

So we should not be afraid to open up to new challenges in the world, including the challenge of a growing gap between rich and poor.

Some kinds of poverty are quite obvious. And there are forms of poverty that are less visible. Loneliness is one of them. In our rich countries, even among those who materially lack nothing, there are some who wonder about the meaning of their lives, it is as if they do not belong anywhere, they are strangers on the earth. How can we get closer to those who suffer, listening to them and being touched by them?

Around the world, there are also women, men and children who are forced to leave their countries. It is distress that creates in them a motivation to leave. That distress is stronger than all the barriers erected to stop their coming.

The many people who arrive create insecurity in us; this fear is understandable. W want to resist fear, but that does not mean that it has to go away, but that it does not have to paralyze us. We must not allow the rejection of foreigners to enter our mentalities, because refusing others is the seed of barbarity. As Christians, we should remember that we are all strangers on earth ourselves.

These are words of the Bible: we are strangers on the earth. We are pilgrims on this wonderful planet (see Hebrews 11:13), we have no home here forever, we are heading towards our homeland in heaven.


I would now like to give the floor to a friend from Taizé, Amaya, who is here with her family, and who works in Rome at the service of the Church for the accompaniment of refugees. She will tell us a few words about her commitment.


Amaya: We often hear news about refugees and migrants, but in this news there are no faces. And yet, this mosaic of children, women and men is made up of specific names and stories.

Since I finished my law studies, I have worked as a refugee lawyer, trying to find a safe place for them and for their right of asylum to be recognized.

In addition, with my family we have the privilege of welcoming refugees in our house regularly. We have known and loved people from Syria, Yemen, Mauritania. Thanks to them we have been able better to understand what is happening in their countries, the the reasons they have left home, the cultural richness they leave behind.

Our experience is that we receive much more than we give. People who have lost everything have a lot to teach us. There remains in them a spiritual and human strength that challenges us. Yes, the refugees are our teachers.

Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we should not be afraid to cross the cultural, social and religious boundaries of our time to enter into relationships with others, because through a personal encounter, we discover the treasures that each refugee carries with them.

Thank you! With great enthusiasm Amaya helps us to widen our friendship. And now, Ishmael will read the names of all the countries represented these days in Taizé.

Ismael: There are flowers for those from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.

For those from Canada, the United States and New Zealand.

For those from Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, Spain and Portugal.

For those from Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Britain and Ireland.

For those from Egypt, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

For those from Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Macao, Cambodia, Indonesia, East Timor, India, Maldives.

For those from Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon.


 [1]

Last updated: 14 July 2018

Footnotes

[1] Photo: Vincent Bellec

Daily Bible Reading

Sat, 14 December
Peter writes: Once you were not a people at all, and now you are the people of God.
1 Peter 2:4-10
more...

For the Diary

 Search events

Podcasts

2019-12-12 : Espère en Dieu + Psalms 90 / Mt 3,13-17 / Bogoroditse Dievo II / Prayer by Brother Alois / C’est toi ma lampe
IMG/mp3/podcast_2019-12-12.mp3
12 December 2019
2019-12-05 : Espère en Dieu + Psalms 80 / Eph 2:19-22 / Wait for the Lord / Notre père / Prayer by Brother Alois / Nimm alles von mir
IMG/mp3/podcast_2019-12-05.mp3
5 December 2019
more...

New CD: «LAUDAMUS TE»


Community

  • Some Recent News
  • Visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Taizé
  • Vocation and History
  • Brother Roger, Founder of Taizé
  • Other people on Taizé
  • Brothers living in other places
  • The Brothers’ Work
  • Solidarity: Operation Hope
  • Anniversaries 2015: Towards a new solidarity

At the Wellspring of Faith

  • Prayer
  • Songs
  • Meditations and Reflections

Coming to Taizé

  • Youth Meetings
  • Specific information for 2019
  • Specific information for 2020
  • Travel to Taizé
  • UK School & College Weeks
  • UK University Weeks
  • Testimonies by young adults
  • Multimedia
  • Some Recent News

Around the World

  • Small Provisional Communities
  • Africa
  • Americas
  • Asia Pacific
  • Europe
  • Middle East

Copyright © Ateliers et Presses de Taizé

This website

[ top | Sitemap | Home]

  • Contact
  • Times of prayers at Taizé
  • News by email