At this opening service of the consultation on west European churches' response to globalization and the financial systems, I greet you warmly on behalf of the World Council of Churches which, together with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Conference of European Churches, and the Lutheran World Federation, is convening this meeting. We have been called together to consider a complex and controversial subject, and already during the preparatory phase some of the difficulties related to the theme of the consultation have come to the surface. It is only fitting, therefore, that we should begin by bringing our concerns together before God and receive guidance and inspiration from God's word.

The readings for this Sunday remind us first of all that our salvation comes from God and not from any economic system. God has given us life, not we ourselves. It is God's steadfast love which sustains us and all creation. God is the ultimate source of power and strength. Therefore we can say with the Prophet Isaiah and with all those who, together with us, call on the name of God: "I will trust and will not be afraid" (Is 12.2).

In view of the concentration of power in the international financial institutions, many people feel helpless and afraid. But even these powerful institutions are human instruments and therefore not beyond critical scrutiny. Thus we need not hesitate, even at the beginning of this consultation, to "sing praises to the Lord for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth" (Is 12.5). This remains our primary vocation for all conditions and in all conditions.

The New Testament reading recalls the sending out of the disciples by Jesus. To them and to all those who, like the disciples, place their trust fully in God, Jesus gives an overwhelming authority. They are being sent out to continue the mission of Jesus, and that means to cast out unclean spirits, to cure every disease and sickness, to cleanse the lepers and even to raise the dead. We may say that this authority is too much for us; this is only for the apostles, for those with a special vocation.

But what is at stake here is to bring hope and to affirm life for all, especially for those who are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Of course, to secure full life for all requires to work for economic, political and social justice, but it is also and fundamentally a spiritual mission, the task of discerning the spirits and to confront the unclean and demonic spirits that hold people captive. That is the task of spiritual discernment which is given to you in this consultation. The authority is not your own; it is given to you as you place your trust in God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus then also gives specific instructions to those who are prepared to accept this mission. If we read these instructions against the background of our concerns about globalization, they point to an emerging alternative to globalization which needs to become embodied in the life of the Christian community. This alternative focuses on gratuity: "You have received without payment; give without payment" (Mt 10.8). It radically questions the emphasis placed on calculating self-interest. This alternative is marked by sufficiency: "Take no gold or silver or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals, or a staff" (Mt 10.9f). The value of persons, of actions, of arguments is not to be determined by a monetary price or the gain to be obtained. Finally, this alternative encourages mutuality: "Labourers deserve their food" (Mt 10.10). We are, as those who follow in the footsteps of Jesus and his disciples, urged to build a culture of sharing and solidarity. Gratuity, sufficiency and mutuality are among the core values which characterize this alternative to globalization.

Those who are being sent out with this mission will meet conflicting responses. They will encounter and discover those who have been touched by the Spirit of Christ. When they meet, bringing the greeting and the message of peace which is the promise of the fullness of life, then this greeting will resonate and those addressed will respond with Amen. But there will also be difficult encounters where the messengers of life and peace meet with resistance. Jesus calls upon all who accept his mission to be realistic about the possibility of rejection. Success and general approval is not a valid criterion for assessing this mission. There are situations where even patient argument will not be able to break through the domination of other value systems and in particular the fascination by power and wealth.

Spiritual discernment is not about winning an argument. We can leave the final judgement to God without a sense of failure. But the task of discernment also means to be critical over against our own political and social prejudices and resentments. The authority with which we speak or act is not our own, but is given and entrusted to us for the sake of life for all.

The letter of the churches in Argentina to the churches in the north, which was sent before Christmas last year, said: "All Christians are called to be witnesses to peace, a peace which is born from the will to build a more inclusive society, a society where everybody can find a place of dignity, witnesses to a peace that is nurtured in justice and in truth." As we therefore entrust the outcome of this consultation to the Spirit of God working among us, let us greet and respond to each other with the greeting of peace, thus affirming where we place our trust and confidence. The peace of Christ be always with you.