“For God so loved the world that he
gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.” (Jn 3,16)
With these words, we are given an idea of how God feels
about the world, estranged from him because of our sin. He is not
definitively mad at it. Rather because of its sinfulness, He sends his
Son to save it, and so the Son cannot help but engage the world in a
constant dialogue, an abiding relationship.
This relationship has to be an ongoing affair, since the
world continues to evolve, though in a manner that is within the
nature God himself gave it. The obvious purpose is to infuse the
redemptive Christian spirit to it. What takes place is therefore a
dialogue that helps the world to evolve in a homogeneous manner, not
heterogeneous.
And since Christ remains with us alive and active in the
most excellent way in the Holy Eucharist, we have to understand that
this Christian dialogue with the world has to revolve around the Holy
Eucharist. It cannot and should not be done outside of the Eucharist
that is also described as the “sum and summary of our faith.”
But we also need to realize that this dialogue involves
all of us, the believers and disciples of Christ, because this time
the continuing interventions of Christ in world affairs are done
together with his mystical Body, the Church, and that is us.
Here we can already detect the need for us to be truly
Eucharistic souls, firm believers not only in the real presence of
Christ in the Holy Eucharist, but also of his continuing involvement
in world affairs.
It’s this spirituality of the Eucharist that will help us
have a true concern for the world, knowing what is really important
and necessary in orienting the world to its proper end, without
getting lost in its many peripheral albeit instrumental issues.
It’s this spirituality of the Eucharist that will make us
more sensitive and attentive to Christ’s words of commissioning his
apostles: “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.” (Mk 16,15)
It’s this spirituality of the Eucharist that will give us
an idea of how to enter into dialogue with the world, what and how to
preach and engage the world in a meaningful conversation, and how to
be open-minded, tolerant, versatile but not confused and lost.
It’s this spirituality of the Eucharist that will impart
in us that proper sense of prudence and discretion, which has nothing
to do with cowardice and human respect, and is very much compatible
with the need for boldness to speak the word of God in season and out
of season.
It’s this spirituality of the Eucharist that will endow us
with the “gift of tongue,” giving us that proper sense of what to say
at what time and place and with due consideration of many other
relevant circumstances. It’s what makes the dialogue cordial and
respectful even in the midst of some conflicting views.
Are we aware, at least, of these responsibilities? Are we
making ourselves ready for this duty? Do we know what exactly are
involved in preparing ourselves for this continuing Christian dialogue
with the world?
There’s obvious need to raise the awareness of everyone
about this dimension of our Christian life. What programs and
strategies are crafted for this purpose? What means are used to
measure in some way any progress or development in this regard?
Do we have clear ideas and guidelines as to what attitudes
and skills are relevant to be inculcated among the different sectors
of society? Are we providing occasions and opportunities for people to
develop these proper attitudes and skills?
Do we have an effective way of keeping a running account
and inventory of the relevant issues to be tackled? Are there
appropriate offices and structures with proper authority and
competence to handle these issues?
We need to remember that Christ in the Eucharist, and that
means us also, wants to get involved in every human issue, situation,
challenge, etc., giving them their proper perspective and meaning.
There is nothing in our life where Christ is irrelevant.
We need to bring Christ to all spheres and aspects of the
world—business, politics, culture and social life, the sciences and
the arts, the technologies, the world of economics and finance,
religions, ideologies and philosophies.
Christ wants to reach out to everyone, including those who
prefer to be outliers, detached from any human system, or are forced
by circumstance to be marginalized.
Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.” (Jn 3,16)
With these words, we are given an idea of how God feels
about the world, estranged from him because of our sin. He is not
definitively mad at it. Rather because of its sinfulness, He sends his
Son to save it, and so the Son cannot help but engage the world in a
constant dialogue, an abiding relationship.
This relationship has to be an ongoing affair, since the
world continues to evolve, though in a manner that is within the
nature God himself gave it. The obvious purpose is to infuse the
redemptive Christian spirit to it. What takes place is therefore a
dialogue that helps the world to evolve in a homogeneous manner, not
heterogeneous.
And since Christ remains with us alive and active in the
most excellent way in the Holy Eucharist, we have to understand that
this Christian dialogue with the world has to revolve around the Holy
Eucharist. It cannot and should not be done outside of the Eucharist
that is also described as the “sum and summary of our faith.”
But we also need to realize that this dialogue involves
all of us, the believers and disciples of Christ, because this time
the continuing interventions of Christ in world affairs are done
together with his mystical Body, the Church, and that is us.
Here we can already detect the need for us to be truly
Eucharistic souls, firm believers not only in the real presence of
Christ in the Holy Eucharist, but also of his continuing involvement
in world affairs.
It’s this spirituality of the Eucharist that will help us
have a true concern for the world, knowing what is really important
and necessary in orienting the world to its proper end, without
getting lost in its many peripheral albeit instrumental issues.
It’s this spirituality of the Eucharist that will make us
more sensitive and attentive to Christ’s words of commissioning his
apostles: “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.” (Mk 16,15)
It’s this spirituality of the Eucharist that will give us
an idea of how to enter into dialogue with the world, what and how to
preach and engage the world in a meaningful conversation, and how to
be open-minded, tolerant, versatile but not confused and lost.
It’s this spirituality of the Eucharist that will impart
in us that proper sense of prudence and discretion, which has nothing
to do with cowardice and human respect, and is very much compatible
with the need for boldness to speak the word of God in season and out
of season.
It’s this spirituality of the Eucharist that will endow us
with the “gift of tongue,” giving us that proper sense of what to say
at what time and place and with due consideration of many other
relevant circumstances. It’s what makes the dialogue cordial and
respectful even in the midst of some conflicting views.
Are we aware, at least, of these responsibilities? Are we
making ourselves ready for this duty? Do we know what exactly are
involved in preparing ourselves for this continuing Christian dialogue
with the world?
There’s obvious need to raise the awareness of everyone
about this dimension of our Christian life. What programs and
strategies are crafted for this purpose? What means are used to
measure in some way any progress or development in this regard?
Do we have clear ideas and guidelines as to what attitudes
and skills are relevant to be inculcated among the different sectors
of society? Are we providing occasions and opportunities for people to
develop these proper attitudes and skills?
Do we have an effective way of keeping a running account
and inventory of the relevant issues to be tackled? Are there
appropriate offices and structures with proper authority and
competence to handle these issues?
We need to remember that Christ in the Eucharist, and that
means us also, wants to get involved in every human issue, situation,
challenge, etc., giving them their proper perspective and meaning.
There is nothing in our life where Christ is irrelevant.
We need to bring Christ to all spheres and aspects of the
world—business, politics, culture and social life, the sciences and
the arts, the technologies, the world of economics and finance,
religions, ideologies and philosophies.
Christ wants to reach out to everyone, including those who
prefer to be outliers, detached from any human system, or are forced
by circumstance to be marginalized.
No comments:
Post a Comment