But if we look more closely at these biblical texts, we find that the locus of this reconciliation of differences is within ourselves, in our own lives, ever threatened as they are by fragmentation and breakdown. I think of the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous peoples, the elderly who are increasingly isolated and abandoned, and many others. I realize of course that joy is not expressed the same way at all times in life, especially at moments of great difficulty. In the light of that positive message, our rejection of the evils which endanger that life can be better understood. Nor should we forget that “the greater or lesser degree of the holiness of the minister has a real effect on the proclamation of the word”. There are other doors that should not be closed either. Translation in L’Osservatore Romano, English Language Edition, 6 November 1996. Far from dealing with abstract truths or cold syllogisms, it communicates the beauty of the images used by the Lord to encourage the practise of good. Otherwise, the truth is manipulated, cosmetics take the place of real care for our bodies. We need to pay attention to the global so as to avoid narrowness and banality. What are the implications of this principle for preachers? For the Church, the option for the poor is primarily a theological category rather than a cultural, sociological, political or philosophical one. The different tools provided by literary analysis are well known: attention to words which are repeated or emphasized, recognition of the structure and specific movement of a text, consideration of the role played by the different characters, and so forth. At the same time, new difficulties are constantly surfacing: experiences of failure and the human weaknesses which bring so much pain. This is a tremendous corruption disguised as a good. In her dialogue with the State and with society, the Church does not have solutions for every particular issue. Our commitment does not consist exclusively in activities or programmes of promotion and assistance; what the Holy Spirit mobilizes is not an unruly activism, but above all an attentiveness which considers the other “in a certain sense as one with ourselves”. A preacher has to contemplate the word, but he also has to contemplate his people. Christ’s resurrection is not an event of the past; it contains a vital power which has permeated this world. [33] To make this missionary impulse ever more focused, generous and fruitful, I encourage each particular Church to undertake a resolute process of discernment, purification and reform. In our neighbourhoods and in the workplace, how many wars are caused by envy and jealousy, even among Christians! 1 Tim 1:3-5), Paul also gives them rules for their personal lives and their pastoral activity. The entire history of our redemption is marked by the presence of the poor. This means that we must have sincere trust in our fellow pilgrims, putting aside all suspicion or mistrust, and turn our gaze to what we are all seeking: the radiant peace of God’s face. The believer is essentially “one who remembers”. Not only do they share in the sensus fidei, but in their difficulties they know the suffering Christ. 72. Under no circumstance can this invitation be obscured! In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. [139] Benedict XVI, Address during the First General Congregation of the Synod of Bishops (8 October 2012): AAS 104 (2012), 896. [142] To believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in everyone means realizing that he seeks to penetrate every human situation and all social bonds: “The Holy Spirit can be said to possess an infinite creativity, proper to the divine mind, which knows how to loosen the knots of human affairs, even the most complex and inscrutable”. It is the convergence of peoples who, within the universal order, maintain their own individuality; it is the sum total of persons within a society which pursues the common good, which truly has a place for everyone. However, it is not difficult to see in that beginning a particular heaviness of heart, linked with a sort of night of faith – to use the words of Saint John of the Cross – a kind of ‘veil’ through which one has to draw near to the Invisible One and to live in intimacy with the mystery. Mt 13:24-30) graphically illustrates an important aspect of evangelization: the enemy can intrude upon the kingdom and sow harm, but ultimately he is defeated by the goodness of the wheat. The costumer also took the time to honor the 1996 movie, and challenges fans to find her homages: “Throughout the film you’ll see Easter eggs — nods to the original on each girl — but I won’t say where they are.”, Ultimately, Plewes hopes the movie’s fashions are accessible and aspirational for young viewers, adding: “I wanted them to be rooted in something relatable and affordable.”. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 9. When evangelizers rise from prayer, their hearts are more open; freed of self-absorption, they are desirous of doing good and sharing their lives with others. In our world, especially in some countries, different forms of war and conflict are re-emerging, yet we Christians remain steadfast in our intention to respect others, to heal wounds, to build bridges, to strengthen relationships and to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2). Jesus’ whole life, his way of dealing with the poor, his actions, his integrity, his simple daily acts of generosity, and finally his complete self-giving, is precious and reveals the mystery of his divine life. It is worthy remembering that “the liturgical proclamation of the word of God, especially in the eucharistic assembly, is not so much a time for meditation and catechesis as a dialogue between God and his people, a dialogue in which the great deeds of salvation are proclaimed and the demands of the covenant are continually restated”. Consequently, we need to grasp the variety of things in their multiple relationships (cf. [22], 26. , Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (30 December 1987), 22: AAS 80 (1988), 539. To those who speak thus I say: when will you be worthy? To Christians, this principle also evokes the totality or integrity of the Gospel which the Church passes down to us and sends us forth to proclaim. If indeed “the just ordering of society and of the state is a central responsibility of politics”, the Church “cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice”. As Christians, we can also benefit from these treasures built up over many centuries, which can help us better to live our own beliefs. Yet we desire even more than this; our dream soars higher. I have dealt extensively with these topics, with a detail which some may find excessive. 285. Both represent a source of hope for every people. For all this, I repeat: Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the joy of evangelization! If we wish to lead a dignified and fulfilling life, we have to reach out to others and seek their good. The inclusion of the poor in society [186-216], In union with God, we hear a plea [187-192] Fidelity to the Gospel, lest we run in vain [193-196] The special place of the poor in God’s people [197-201] The economy and the distribution of income [202-208] Concern for the vulnerable [209-216], III. ‘The Great Gatsby’ to Be Adapted as Animated Feature From DNEG Animation, How ‘The Artist’s Wife’ Used Inspiration From ’70s Movies to Show a Nightmare Realized, Sandy Powell, Deborah Landis and Ellen Mirojnick Celebrate Ann Roth, Daft Punk Has Split Up, Publicist Confirms, Daft Punk Talks Kanye West, Coachella and That Wild Pyramid Stage in Unpublished Interview, Zack Snyder Won’t Get Paid for HBO Max’s ‘Justice League,’ Hasn’t Seen Joss Whedon’s Version, Here’s How ‘The Simpsons’ Brought Back the Late Marcia Wallace to Say Goodbye to Mrs. Krabappel, ‘SEAL Team’ Actor Justin Melnick Recovering After Fall From Helicopter, ‘The Bachelor’ Matt James Breaks Silence on Chris Harrison Controversy: ‘Troubling and Painful’. A joy ever new, a joy which is shared [2-8], II. Yet I realize that no words of encouragement will be enough unless the fire of the Holy Spirit burns in our hearts. Its mandate of charity encompasses all dimensions of existence, all individuals, all areas of community life, and all peoples. In this final chapter, I do not intend to offer a synthesis of Christian spirituality, or to explore great themes like prayer, Eucharistic adoration or the liturgical celebration of the faith. Since this Exhortation is addressed to members of the Catholic Church, I want to say, with regret, that the worst discrimination which the poor suffer is the lack of spiritual care. God’s word is unpredictable in its power. In cities, as opposed to the countryside, the religious dimension of life is expressed by different lifestyles, daily rhythms linked to places and people. 1061. 169. If we wish to commit ourselves fully and perseveringly, we need to leave behind every other motivation. Mt 25:5ff.). Newman, Letter of 26 January 1833, in The Letters and Diaries of John Henry Newman, vol. Hence it is clear that that the first proclamation also calls for ongoing formation and maturation. 18. But the Church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems. 21. 12. Casual indifference in the face of such questions empties our lives and our words of all meaning. Memory is a dimension of our faith which we might call “deuteronomic”, not unlike the memory of Israel itself. He tells his disciples: “You will be blessed if you do this” (Jn 13:17). True love is always contemplative, and permits us to serve the other not out of necessity or vanity, but rather because he or she is beautiful above and beyond mere appearances: “The love by which we find the other pleasing leads us to offer him something freely”. 204. The Gospel, radiant with the glory of Christ’s cross, constantly invites us to rejoice. Dialogue and friendship with the children of Israel are part of the life of Jesus’ disciples. [128] This basically has to do with two things: a progressive experience of formation involving the entire community and a renewed appreciation of the liturgical signs of Christian initiation. Today and always, “the poor are the privileged recipients of the Gospel”,[52] and the fact that it is freely preached to them is a sign of the kingdom that Jesus came to establish. Growing numbers of parents do not bring their children for baptism or teach them how to pray. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”. In the course of the homily, the hearts of believers keep silence and allow God to speak. She constantly contemplates the mystery of God in our world, in human history and in our daily lives. 222. It is the approach of a missionary disciple, an approach “nourished by the light and strength of the Holy Spirit”.[53]. Jesus is “the first and greatest evangelizer”. I ask God to give us more politicians capable of sincere and effective dialogue aimed at healing the deepest roots – and not simply the appearances – of the evils in our world! Here we see that intercessory prayer does not divert us from true contemplation, since authentic contemplation always has a place for others. As believers, we also feel close to those who do not consider themselves part of any religious tradition, yet sincerely seek the truth, goodness and beauty which we believe have their highest expression and source in God. Today, as the Church seeks to experience a profound missionary renewal, there is a kind of preaching which falls to each of us as a daily responsibility. [92] John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa (14 September 1995), 61: AAS 88 (1996), 39. Knowledge of its linguistic or exegetical aspects, though certainly necessary, is not enough. How many wars take place within the people of God and in our different communities! How often we dream up vast apostolic projects, meticulously planned, just like defeated generals! The books of the Old Testament predicted that the joy of salvation would abound in messianic times. 282. [138] We do not blindly seek God, or wait for him to speak to us first, for “God has already spoken, and there is nothing further that we need to know, which has not been revealed to us”. The first step, after calling upon the Holy Spirit in prayer, is to give our entire attention to the biblical text, which needs to be the basis of our preaching. The heart of its message will always be the same: the God who revealed his immense love in the crucified and risen Christ. It was full of people: “…I constantly pray with you in every one of my prayers for all of you… because I hold you in my heart” (Phil 1:4, 7). But once we separate our work from our private lives, everything turns grey and we will always be seeking recognition or asserting our needs. 131. This is often due to a lack of contagious apostolic fervour in communities which results in a cooling of enthusiasm and attractiveness. 240. Starting from certain social issues of great importance for the future of humanity, I have tried to make explicit once again the inescapable social dimension of the Gospel message and to encourage all Christians to demonstrate it by their words, attitudes and deeds. Moses heard God’s call: “Go, I send you” (Ex 3:10) and led the people towards the promised land (cf. In various countries, conflicts and old divisions from the past are re-emerging. This joy is a sign that the Gospel has been proclaimed and is bearing fruit. [71] H. De Lubac, Méditation sur l’Église, Paris, 1968, 321. The pace of this accompaniment must be steady and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life. Such claims usually follow from a form of moral relativism that is joined, not without inconsistency, to a belief in the absolute rights of individuals. This insidious worldliness is evident in a number of attitudes which appear opposed, yet all have the same pretence of “taking over the space of the Church”. What is needed is the ability to cultivate an interior space which can give a Christian meaning to commitment and activity. So a formation in the via pulchritudinis ought to be part of our effort to pass on the faith. Social dialogue as a contribution to peace. [185] We have politicians – and even religious leaders – who wonder why people do not understand and follow them, since their proposals are so clear and logical. Whenever we do so, our lives become wonderfully complicated and we experience intensely what it is to be a people, to be part of a people. Ideas – conceptual elaborations – are at the service of communication, understanding, and praxis. The Aparecida Document describes the riches which the Holy Spirit pours forth in popular piety by his gratuitous initiative. In this view, the Church is perceived as promoting a particular prejudice and as interfering with individual freedom”. [29] This kind of integration will prevent them from concentrating only on part of the Gospel or the Church, or becoming nomads without roots. [165] This is why I want a Church which is poor and for the poor. [106] Fifth General Conference of the Latin American and Caribbean Bishops, Aparecida Document, 29 June 2007, 264. In this way, we hold fast to a formulation while failing to convey its substance. Lk 10:17). Some things are understood and appreciated only from the standpoint of this assent, which is a sister to love, beyond the range of clear reasons and arguments. Among the vulnerable for whom the Church wishes to care with particular love and concern are unborn children, the most defenceless and innocent among us. Our Christian joy drinks of the wellspring of his brimming heart. Whenever we make the effort to return to the source and to recover the original freshness of the Gospel, new avenues arise, new paths of creativity open up, with different forms of expression, more eloquent signs and words with new meaning for today’s world. Many of them also have a deep conviction that their life, in its entirety, is from God and for God. We stop being a people. We need to help others to realize that the only way is to learn how to encounter others with the right attitude, which is to accept and esteem them as companions along the way, without interior resistance. Benedict XVI, Address for the Fortieth Anniversary of the Decree Ad Gentes (11 March 2006): AAS 98 (2006), 337. Neither can believers claim that a scientific opinion which is attractive but not sufficiently verified has the same weight as a dogma of faith. Only the person who feels happiness in seeking the good of others, in desiring their happiness, can be a missionary. In today’s world of instant communication and occasionally biased media coverage, the message we preach runs a greater risk of being distorted or reduced to some of its secondary aspects. The African bishops, for example, taking up the Encyclical Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, pointed out years ago that there have been frequent attempts to make the African countries “parts of a machine, cogs on a gigantic wheel. Even so, “we must reject the temptation to offer a privatized and individualistic spirituality which ill accords with the demands of charity, to say nothing of the implications of the incarnation”. This message is so clear and direct, so simple and eloquent, that no ecclesial interpretation has the right to relativize it. He brought us to her because he did not want us to journey without a mother, and our people read in this maternal image all the mysteries of the Gospel. Because of this love, we can take as much time as we need, like every true disciple: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam 3:9). Center For Family Services will not tolerate discrimination (including age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, or marital status or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local laws, regulations or ordinances). This important principle, namely that the Pauline communities should not succumb to the self-centred lifestyle of the pagans, remains timely today, when a new self-centred paganism is growing. I, q. Paul’s relationship with Timothy and Titus provides an example of this accompaniment and formation which takes place in the midst of apostolic activity. How beautiful are those cities which overcome paralysing mistrust, integrate those who are different and make this very integration a new factor of development! [118] Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi (8 December 1975), 76: AAS 68 (1976), 68. The Church will have to initiate everyone – priests, religious and laity – into this “art of accompaniment” which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other (cf. Such a community has an endless desire to show mercy, the fruit of its own experience of the power of the Father’s infinite mercy. The mortal horse is deformed and obstinate. 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