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For Christ himself is our peace,
He who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of hostility,
That he might reconcile them with God through the cross.
Ep 2:13-17

In his letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul expresses what lies at the heart of Christ's death and resurrection: the reconciliation of divided nations and the proclamation of the good news of peace as the walls of hostility are brought down.

The road to reconciliation seems however long. Cardinal Marx, whose term as COMECE Presidency is just over, recalls his joy when the European Union opened itself up to the dimension of a true Europe, one that extends from east to west. At the end of his mandate, he wrote: "We notice an obvious disillusionment. In the different regions of Europe, societies and politicians are keeping a critical eye on each other”.

The contemplation of Jesus through the Paschal mystery, can only revive in us a desire to commit all our efforts to the reconciliation to which he gave himself completely till the very end. A reconciliation that, as stressed by the last General Congregation, is inseparable from our duty to do justice to those who are poor and excluded, to those who have a privileged place at the table of the Kingdom.

In a recent article, Martin Maier defined Europe as "a project of reconciliation, justice and peace", yet across the continent, walls are being insidiously rebuilt in people's hearts and minds. We witness this in international, social, economic and religious relations, and perhaps even within ourselves. As Pope Francis likes to say, our only concern should be to build bridges.

For us Europeans, thinking and working for Europe, that is to say thinking and working for the common good, solidarity, hospitality, is just one step in that direction. We must ask for the grace of a mind and heart open and generous enough to embrace the world and the universal message of the Paschal mystery. This is what Saint Ignatius wished for the Society of Jesus.

May the great joy of the Risen Christ, who comes to console and gather his scattered friends and send them into the world to spread the Gospel of reconciliation, dwell in each and every one of us.

Franck Janin S.J.
President of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials

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