MORE than 50 years after its occurrence, Vatican II continues to defy the
understanding and appreciation of many people. In fact, it is attacked by two
opposite sides, from what we may call as the Right and the Left, the
Conservative and the Liberal.
There are those who think that the ecumenical council betrays the spirit of
Christianity, by debunking a big and what they consider as an essential part of
tradition. These are the Traditionalists who are uncomfortable with Masses said
in the vernacular or a Church very active in human and world affairs.
At the other end, there are those who consider Vatican II as not doing enough
to cope with the demands of the times and the needs of modern man. They want to
delete some Church doctrines that to their mind are now obsolete if not an
obstacle to their ministry.
I suppose we can never please everyone with anything that we do in this life.
My consolation is that even Christ, the very son of God who became man to
redeem us, neither pleased everyone. In fact, he was crucified by a good number
of the people, the leaders in fact of the people then.
But Vatican II is a great watershed in Church life, a true gift of the Holy
Spirit to make the Church not only attuned to the dynamics of modern times but
also and more importantly, to make Christianity more deeply and widely lived by
each one and all of us together.
It was a comprehensive effort participated in by a good number of Cardinals,
bishops, other clerics, theologians and other periti (experts), plus some lay
faithful and even observers from other sects who together tried to discern what
the Holy Spirit was prompting and continues to prompt the Church to do and to
be.
For centuries, the Church had slowly and steadily gotten stuck with certain
stereotypes that needed to be dismantled. For sure, this process of renewing
the Church will always be a work-in-progress. Social, cultural and historical
conditionings that actually vary need to be reassessed from time to time.
This need for continuing renewal will never end, since not only is the Church a
living organism. It is also one with a supernatural if mysterious source and
goal. There will always be tension involved in its life, and part of our task
is how to keep that tension healthy and constructive rather than destructive.
Vatican II has made some dramatic shifts of attitudes and ways of doing things.
Where before the laity were considered secondary citizens and the servants and
longa manus of the clerics, now the fundamental equality of all the
faithful—clerics, laity and religious—while respecting and fostering the
legitimate variety among them is highlighted.
The relationship between laity and clerics is now better defined and keyed to
the dynamics of mutual generous and all-out serving of one another. Before,
this relationship highlighted the more prominent position of the clerics, while
the attention given to the laity leaned more to the minimalist direction.
The universal call to sanctity is stressed more in Vatican II. Before, sanctity
appeared to be reserved only to a few lucky individuals. Vatican II also
highlighted the lay spirituality, encouraging the lay faithful to be consistent
with their faith and baptismal commitment right in the middle of the world.
This is a challenging part, because while we can be impressed with the
overflowing crowd in churches on Sundays and other important feasts and
solemnities, actually the great majority of the people are still far from being
truly Christian and are in great need to be evangelized.
Thus, more lay people are being encouraged to live out their Christian
commitment to carry out personal apostolate with their families, friends and
colleagues at work, grounding this effort on their daily pursuit for personal
sanctity through prayer, recourse to the sacraments, continuing formation and
ascetical struggle, etc.
The clerics are encouraged to be generous in giving due care and attention to
the laypeople. They should be willing to be servants even to the point of
washing the feet of the people as exemplified by Christ himself, and why not,
of being crucified. That would indicate that they are really giving their all.
Vatican II demands everyone to go beyond simply being nominal Christians and to
be active and living members of the Church, each one doing his part to the full
in solidarity with everybody else.
Besides, Vatican II has lot to say about liturgy, ecumenism, education, family,
etc. Let’s live its spirit well!
No comments:
Post a Comment