The development of the notae unitatis

Lights from Gal 3,26-28 and Eph 4,1-6

Abstract

The letters to the Galatians and to the Ephesians, respectively, one proto-Pauline and one deutero-Pauline, have been the subject of several studies due to their contents and forms, especially in the field of freedom and the universality of salvation. These are two letters from the Pauline epistolary that are well accepted by the various Christian traditions: by Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants. This article aims to analyze the theme of ecumenism based on two passages taken from these letters, Gal 3:26-29 and Eph 4:1-6, which address the universality of divine filiation through baptism and of the Gospel of Christ, proclaimed to all without any distinction, which should be a cause of unity and not division, especially among those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. To achieve this objective, this article presents data on the letters, considering text and context, and performs an exegesis of the two passages indicated here (Gal 3:26-29 and Eph 4:1-6). Both promote dialogue and openness to charting paths together, whether through baptism or the Gospel. They open doors and windows, build bridges and not walls, broaden horizons and indicate paths of dialogue and respect between the sons and daughters of God, and between them and other believers and non-believers, in a common cooperation in the promotion of human life, for the sake of our common home, the Kingdom. They are like scores indicating the musical notes to be played harmoniously by the symphony orchestra, with its many and varied instruments.