On the celebrations marking the Sunday of the Word of God, January 25, 2026 and during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop Iyad Twal has celebrated Holy Mass marking the third Sunday in ordinary time (Sunday of the Word) at the Sacred  Heart of  Jesus Church in Tla’ Al-Ali, Amman, which was  concelebrated by parish priest Fr. Rif’at Bader, Fr. Bashir Bader, and parish deacon Jubran Salam in the presence of a large number of parishioners.

At the outset of the Holy Mass, Fr. Rif’at Bader welcomed Bishop Twal, expressing his appreciation for the bishop’s presence and thanking him for leading the prayers for Christian Unity, which had taken place earlier in the same church.

In his homily, Bishop Twal spoke about the importance of the Word of God in the life of believers, urging them to read the Holy Bible with profound comprehension and to live out Gospel values in their relationships with others. He also reflected on the meaning of unity with God and abiding in Him, where true communion with Lord Jesus Christ is found.

He asserted that Christ’s call to unity is not a theoretical idea or a mere wish, as it is the very heart of the Holy Bible and the core of His priestly prayer for his disciples, “that they may all may be one.”  He added that unity is a living witness to Lord Christ before a world wounded by division and searching for hope.

He pointed out that the unity which Lord Christ desires is not built on human agreements or shared interests but rather stems from unity with God, namely “to be in Him.” When God dwells in human heart, our relationships with others are transformed, while love becomes capable of healing wounds as well as transcending fear and selfishness which are among the greatest obstacles to Christian unity, he stressed.

He continued, “The world needs Christians who are ‘in Christ,’ not by those who call themselves believers. The Church needs hearts united with God in order to witness divine unity, namely unity that does not mean uniformity in everything; it is rather love that incorporates diversity and turns it into spiritual richness."

Before the end of the Holy Mass, Bishop Twal presented Mr. Hadi Bader and his wife with the Golden Patriarchal Cross, on behalf of Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, in recognition of their generous contribution to the construction of the Grotto of Blessed Mary Undoer of Knots. He also presented a certificate of blessing to Mr. Emile Bader and his wife, in appreciation of their support in building the shrine.

After the Holy Mass, the faithful exchanged greetings with the bishop and the priests in an atmosphere abounding with joy, peace, and love.