There is but one sadness, that of not be saints
Bloy
Mt 5:13-16
At that time, Jesus told his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? A good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world can not be hidden a city set on a hill, nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. "
At that time, Jesus told his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? A good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world can not be hidden a city set on a hill, nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. "
COMMENT
Today's Gospel is good news, as the first Gospel in history, the first Word emerged from the lips of God: "Let there be light. and there was light." In the chaos of the standard light manifests the mysterious presence of God, the One who "ex-nihilo, from nothing brings into existence the things that are not, the Creator. The light to drive out the darkness at the edge of life, light separate from the dark as the first cry of life to nothing confused and indistinct. The first page of the Bible illuminated by a beam of light borne by the voice of God made His Word Light . And then, after a long history of salvation, His Word, on the threshold of the New Testament, has become meat. Light and meat, the Word of God enlightens and makes life . Thus was the origin of our life, the same word that created the separate light from darkness, gave our name, separating from the chaos and nonsense, making holy, consecrated , the property of God The Good News that comes to our lives today: "Let there be light, and Francis, John, Teresa , Ilaria. Be you, and there was light, and you came to light as a reflection of the light that shines on the face of Christ . eternal light in a clay pot, our DNA, our identity, his Word made resplendent flesh of his love. The source of our family tree there is a word made light, Christ, in whom and for which we were created and have come into existence.
Without the light of the nature dies. Hence, the Son is generated in the light and the light of Easter back, finally to life. The eternal, the one that will never die again. And we, whom he called beloved and elect, born to life in a life-giving water source, we are sons in the Son. Light in the Light. From the chaos of a life immersed in vices and sins, from the fetters of the ancient sin and from the tentacles of the Assassin liar, a Light has saved us. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, the Morning Star, the dawn of the Resurrection is able to recreate, to make us new creatures, awakened by a ray of sunshine rises from the East, awakened from the sleep of death, are we today light in the Lord.
light and salt, that's what we are. It is not a life plan, a diet, a commitment, an option. Not a single task or a mission. It 'simply the truth. Like when you turn on a switch and the room lights . So is our life: candles scattered throughout the days that open before us, problems, difficulties, illness, life is already there prepared. The lamp is placed in plain sight. And Him, through His grace, turns every day with our days even the Light that enlightens, His Light in us . His glory to shine on the Cross daily that seals our history. Our life like a comet that rod light the dark night of the world, an arrow shot by God to show the child God incarnate in each stall that is the life of every man. A flash, a flame, for the world, today, tomorrow, until the dawn eternal when we finally caught in its light.
And we are salt, the taste of Christ on this earth that has lost its sense of gray. Salt is the heavenly wisdom, ineffable, the Wisdom of the Cross. We came to this world to go Sapienza; Just as salt preserves it, because it is the root of immmortalità, like salt, it heals wounds and burns because it reveals the poisonous root of the lie, as the salt seals the eternal covenant with God, because it springs from the Cross, the bed 's We love where she married the Lord. Wisdom in every moment that he discovers and announces the Work of God, his love in every event. The Wisdom that descends with the policy of the Cross which contains every death is the Life.
And we are salt, the taste of Christ on this earth that has lost its sense of gray. Salt is the heavenly wisdom, ineffable, the Wisdom of the Cross. We came to this world to go Sapienza; Just as salt preserves it, because it is the root of immmortalità, like salt, it heals wounds and burns because it reveals the poisonous root of the lie, as the salt seals the eternal covenant with God, because it springs from the Cross, the bed 's We love where she married the Lord. Wisdom in every moment that he discovers and announces the Work of God, his love in every event. The Wisdom that descends with the policy of the Cross which contains every death is the Life.
Salt can lose their flavor if left in a damp place, and the light can fade if not fed. " will be trampled by those who fear criticism or persecution is thrown to the ground by himself, watering down the doctrine. can not be trampled on those who are persecuted but takes up the thought and soul "( St. Augustine). why our life is a journey to learn to live hidden with Christ in God, and recognize, day after day, who we are, our nature, the foundation of our existence. For this the only concern is that of Mary, Jesus' feet listening to His Word, the Word in us that turns your light . The Word which, moment by moment, we created in His Light, and every event of our life is "illuminated" by His death and resurrection, made us all, even the most painful experiences are so "naturally" as his light candelabra for every man. Like Mary, hear the Word of Truth, that we announce our authentic identity, to be salt and light, and not fall into the traps that ensnared emotional and neurotic in doubt our value, our vocation, our destiny.
Light is the meaning of our life, the good works that show the Father are the enlightened moments that are followed in the folds of our stories. Work, home, office, friends, illness, pain, anxiety, even our weaknesses, our sins. All of us soaked in Him and His light. His mercy, His love in every moment. Light, Him in us and we in Him, crucified with Him, we are no longer here to live but he in us. Abandoned him, a light for every man. The life given us, the Christian life is wonderful. "There is but one sadness, that of not being saints" (Léon Bloy). The sadness of not being what we are, to live the life which we all dropped from membership. And there is no greater joy than being holy, its salt in the salt and light in the light, a gift given to every man.
Light is the meaning of our life, the good works that show the Father are the enlightened moments that are followed in the folds of our stories. Work, home, office, friends, illness, pain, anxiety, even our weaknesses, our sins. All of us soaked in Him and His light. His mercy, His love in every moment. Light, Him in us and we in Him, crucified with Him, we are no longer here to live but he in us. Abandoned him, a light for every man. The life given us, the Christian life is wonderful. "There is but one sadness, that of not being saints" (Léon Bloy). The sadness of not being what we are, to live the life which we all dropped from membership. And there is no greater joy than being holy, its salt in the salt and light in the light, a gift given to every man.
The new mode, which comes from Him, to look people in the world and makes us more deeply into the mystery of faith, which is not just a collection of theoretical assertions to be accepted and approved by the intelligence, but an experience to be, a truth to be lived, the salt and light of all the salt gives realtà.Come flavor to food and the light illuminates the darkness, so the holiness gives full meaning to life and makes it reflect God's glory
John Paul II, Message for World Youth Day XVII
John Paul II, Message for World Youth Day XVII
ANOTHER COMMENT
We are made to be seen. Look at you. It seems strange but true. If the Lord calls you become a spectacle for the world and the angels.
Yes, our life is like in a scene from a "big brother", and everyone, absolutely everyone, I'm there to watch. As two thousand years ago at the Coliseum. The world, this lost world of the Third Millennium look martyrs. Witnesses. It is hungry, are his only hope. For this reason, their blood flows continuously for two millennia.
The Church "is" only if "was a martyr," a witness and herald of God's infinite mercy. Our lives can not be anything but a martyr, every hour, every moment. Not even a toothache, a smile, un'arrabbiatura. Everything on the air. All live. Do not stop. Until the day when the Father did not come off the plug to make us forever.
then what a wonderful life, wonderful love to lose, because the world may believe. Every moment is precious, a frame of God's love given to the world. Our life for the world. All is holy, all of us is his, because he becomes everything to everyone. And so the Lord warns us today from the only real danger that we run: to lose the flavor. While on the one hand it is impossible to hide a city set on a mountain, the other is true that you can turn off the light.
The mere fact of being alive is a sign. We do not have to worry about who knows what to do things. And so the missionaries, it is not anything extraordinary. It 's a matter of salt, to be salt room. Salt is the ability to suffer, the sign of the Covenant. The salt shows an adult faith that does not flee before the cross, which has patience in suffering, who understands their meaning, see, transfigured in death, resurrection and the life.
Salt and light is then more than to be crucified with Christ, where we are. The alternative is the scandal of children, become a stumbling block to those who still do not believe, the weak, who takes his first steps on the path of faith. Jesus' words are a synthesis of ecclesiology, of morality, liturgy, history. And, above all, a synthesis of Christology: in fact show us the light and salt of the earth, He, Christ.
And 'he who broke up in the death of every man, even in ours, which has become a participant, not rebel. And 'he who, raised on Golgotha, drew every man in the light of his mercy. E 'then we must look to Him, every moment. E 'we have to shake him up to us to make it Up to him that he is living in us. The story of each day shall shaping, pruning, cut as in us is an obstacle to him
Therefore, in the weakness in difficulties in bankruptcy is fulfilled in us the mission for which we were born. Just when we are nothing explodes in us not despise the power of God then nothing in our sufferings, anxieties, failures. E 'in those moments that we are salt and light and yeast. We are because we are who we are. No morality, no commitment, no effort, leaving only a relentless love of God Walking in the Church to grow and nurture their faith. And it is He who work in us and turn, from our wounds, the light for the world.
E 'this is our life, like the life of the Church. Every moment, even the most hidden, so good work, nice of God in us, because men, looking, can give glory to God, because blasphemy against the name of God spoken by all the face of death, are converted into a blessing. Perhaps most people who will look with a hint of hope in your heart, a seed of grace that will give its fruit in season. Do not enter the Church, continue almost as before. Almost. That encounter with the incarnate Christ in the Church, in a community whose members love each adult with heavenly love but visible, life-changing, to a very deep level. Although apparently not change anything. The encounter with a patient in a hospital ward, peaceful, even with terminal cancer, the encounter with a mother who, without saying a word, goes shopping with three, four, seven children, the encounter with a colleague who always does the job that nobody wants to do, the encounter with a radiant face, shining love of God fails, miserably, the barrier that defends their beliefs.
The meeting with the Church, with the Christians, is like a saint worm that sticks in my heart. It 's a light, the salt is spread out on a life lost its meaning. And see their certainties crunch is already giving glory to God, to one that could possibly exist that could fill the gap, and give flavor to the gray existence. Light and salt of the earth. There is no greater mission. And God has chosen us to carry it out. Even today. Even now.
Yes, our life is like in a scene from a "big brother", and everyone, absolutely everyone, I'm there to watch. As two thousand years ago at the Coliseum. The world, this lost world of the Third Millennium look martyrs. Witnesses. It is hungry, are his only hope. For this reason, their blood flows continuously for two millennia.
The Church "is" only if "was a martyr," a witness and herald of God's infinite mercy. Our lives can not be anything but a martyr, every hour, every moment. Not even a toothache, a smile, un'arrabbiatura. Everything on the air. All live. Do not stop. Until the day when the Father did not come off the plug to make us forever.
then what a wonderful life, wonderful love to lose, because the world may believe. Every moment is precious, a frame of God's love given to the world. Our life for the world. All is holy, all of us is his, because he becomes everything to everyone. And so the Lord warns us today from the only real danger that we run: to lose the flavor. While on the one hand it is impossible to hide a city set on a mountain, the other is true that you can turn off the light.
The mere fact of being alive is a sign. We do not have to worry about who knows what to do things. And so the missionaries, it is not anything extraordinary. It 's a matter of salt, to be salt room. Salt is the ability to suffer, the sign of the Covenant. The salt shows an adult faith that does not flee before the cross, which has patience in suffering, who understands their meaning, see, transfigured in death, resurrection and the life.
Salt and light is then more than to be crucified with Christ, where we are. The alternative is the scandal of children, become a stumbling block to those who still do not believe, the weak, who takes his first steps on the path of faith. Jesus' words are a synthesis of ecclesiology, of morality, liturgy, history. And, above all, a synthesis of Christology: in fact show us the light and salt of the earth, He, Christ.
And 'he who broke up in the death of every man, even in ours, which has become a participant, not rebel. And 'he who, raised on Golgotha, drew every man in the light of his mercy. E 'then we must look to Him, every moment. E 'we have to shake him up to us to make it Up to him that he is living in us. The story of each day shall shaping, pruning, cut as in us is an obstacle to him
Therefore, in the weakness in difficulties in bankruptcy is fulfilled in us the mission for which we were born. Just when we are nothing explodes in us not despise the power of God then nothing in our sufferings, anxieties, failures. E 'in those moments that we are salt and light and yeast. We are because we are who we are. No morality, no commitment, no effort, leaving only a relentless love of God Walking in the Church to grow and nurture their faith. And it is He who work in us and turn, from our wounds, the light for the world.
E 'this is our life, like the life of the Church. Every moment, even the most hidden, so good work, nice of God in us, because men, looking, can give glory to God, because blasphemy against the name of God spoken by all the face of death, are converted into a blessing. Perhaps most people who will look with a hint of hope in your heart, a seed of grace that will give its fruit in season. Do not enter the Church, continue almost as before. Almost. That encounter with the incarnate Christ in the Church, in a community whose members love each adult with heavenly love but visible, life-changing, to a very deep level. Although apparently not change anything. The encounter with a patient in a hospital ward, peaceful, even with terminal cancer, the encounter with a mother who, without saying a word, goes shopping with three, four, seven children, the encounter with a colleague who always does the job that nobody wants to do, the encounter with a radiant face, shining love of God fails, miserably, the barrier that defends their beliefs.
The meeting with the Church, with the Christians, is like a saint worm that sticks in my heart. It 's a light, the salt is spread out on a life lost its meaning. And see their certainties crunch is already giving glory to God, to one that could possibly exist that could fill the gap, and give flavor to the gray existence. Light and salt of the earth. There is no greater mission. And God has chosen us to carry it out. Even today. Even now.
DEEPENING
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John Paul II. Salt of the earth, light of the world. Speech to young people in the Cathedral of Plovdiv
- John Paul II. "You are the salt of the earth ... You are the light of the world." Message for World Youth Day 2002
St. Thomas Aquinas
Catena Aurea
"" Salt seasons and preserves, does not flatter the palate sweetness of sap. It should be seasoned with a healthy word and example the people wounded by sin, aiming to business and to eternal salvation "(San G. Chrysostom), "The Apostles, must conserve salt as other healthy souls from the corruption of the error and vice, should to be careful not to corrupt themselves" (Hilary), "Who lost the taste for truth and spiritual well-being can not infuse the other, so it became useless and thrown away "(St. Hilary)," Will those who walked out of fear of criticism or persecution is thrown to the ground by himself, watering down the doctrine. It can not be trampled on those who are persecuted but takes up the thought and the soul (St. Augustine), "The example seasons, teaching illuminates. But since you first need to live well and then you can teach well, before Jesus speaks of the salt and then the light "(San G. Chrysostom)," Just as salt preserves food because they do not turn into worms, so the disciples of Christ, must oppose the stench of corruption of sin which is idolatry and dall'impudicizia "(Origen).
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), founder of the Missionary Sisters of Charity
A Gift for God
" Let your light shine before men "
Christians are like a light for others, for all men in the world. If we are Christians, we must look to Christ.
If you want to learn the art of care will make you look more and more like Christ, because his heart was humble and was always attentive to the needs of men. A great holiness begins with this concern for others to be beautiful, our vocation is to be filled with such kindness. Wherever Jesus went, he did well. And the Virgin Mary at Cana was not thinking of anything except the needs of others, and to communicate them to Jesus
A Christian is a shrine of the living God. I created it, I have chosen, and dwelt among us, because he needed me. Now that you've learned how much God loves you, what is more natural for you to spend the rest of your life to shine this love? Being a Christian, you really accept Christ and become another Christ. It is love as we are loved as Christ loved us on the cross.
A Gift for God
Christians are like a light for others, for all men in the world. If we are Christians, we must look to Christ.
If you want to learn the art of care will make you look more and more like Christ, because his heart was humble and was always attentive to the needs of men. A great holiness begins with this concern for others to be beautiful, our vocation is to be filled with such kindness. Wherever Jesus went, he did well. And the Virgin Mary at Cana was not thinking of anything except the needs of others, and to communicate them to Jesus
A Christian is a shrine of the living God. I created it, I have chosen, and dwelt among us, because he needed me. Now that you've learned how much God loves you, what is more natural for you to spend the rest of your life to shine this love? Being a Christian, you really accept Christ and become another Christ. It is love as we are loved as Christ loved us on the cross.
St. John Chrysostom (around 345-407), bishop of Antioch and of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church
Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, No. 15
Salt of the Earth
"You are the salt of the earth" says the Saviour, showing them how necessary it all the precepts he has just stated: "My word, tells them, is not only for your life, your care for your world. Do not send you to two cities, in ten or twenty, or to one people, as once I sent the prophets. I send the whole earth, the sea, to all creation (Mk 16:15), evil abounds everywhere.
fact, saying, "are the salt of the earth", tells them that all human nature corrupted by sin has become insipid; through their ministry, the grace of the Holy Spirit will regenerate and save the world. For this teaches them the virtues of the Beatitudes, those that are most needed, the most effective for those who have the responsibility of the multitude. Who is meek, humble, merciful, just, does not limit himself to good works he has done. Instead of looking after these beautiful springs zampillino for the good of others. Who has the pure heart, who is a peacemaker, who suffer persecution for the truth, here is a person who devotes his life to the good of all.
Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, No. 15
"You are the salt of the earth" says the Saviour, showing them how necessary it all the precepts he has just stated: "My word, tells them, is not only for your life, your care for your world. Do not send you to two cities, in ten or twenty, or to one people, as once I sent the prophets. I send the whole earth, the sea, to all creation (Mk 16:15), evil abounds everywhere.
fact, saying, "are the salt of the earth", tells them that all human nature corrupted by sin has become insipid; through their ministry, the grace of the Holy Spirit will regenerate and save the world. For this teaches them the virtues of the Beatitudes, those that are most needed, the most effective for those who have the responsibility of the multitude. Who is meek, humble, merciful, just, does not limit himself to good works he has done. Instead of looking after these beautiful springs zampillino for the good of others. Who has the pure heart, who is a peacemaker, who suffer persecution for the truth, here is a person who devotes his life to the good of all.
J. Ratzinger, "God and the world"
We can not quietly accept that the rest of humanity plunge back into paganism, we must find a way to bring the Gospel to non-believers. There are already models. The neo-catechumenate has its own model, other communities undertake other efforts. The Church must use all his creativity to ensure that it will not shut the living force of the Gospel. To mold the masses pervade his message and act as their yeast. Just as Jesus said then to a community very small, that of the Apostles: be yeast and salt of the earth. The definition of "leaven" presupposes the very small size on the one hand, but also the universality of the Church responsabilità.Chiesa mass or minority?
Question. Eminence, many years ago You are expressed in terms of the future prophecy on the Church: the Church, then said, "will be reduced in size, we must start again from scratch. But this test will come out a church that has taken great strength from the process of simplification that will be crossed by the renewed ability to look within himself. Because the inhabitants of a world strictly planned feel unutterably alone ... E rediscover the small community of believers as something quite new. As a hope that they are concerned, as a response that they have always secretly looking for. It seems to have been right. But what is the prospect that awaits us in Europe? Response. To begin with, the Church will be reduced in number? When I made this claim, I poured in from all over accusations of pessimism. And today all prohibitions seem to have fallen into disuse, except the one regarding what is called pessimism and often is nothing but healthy realism. Meanwhile, most admit the decrease in the percentage of baptized Christians in Europe today. In a city like Magdeburg, the percentage of Christians is only 8% of the total population, including - mind you - all the Christian denominations. Statistics show conclusive trends. In this sense, it reduces the possibility of identification between the Church and people in certain cultural areas, such as from us. We simply have to accept that.
Question. What does this mean?
Response. The Church of mass can be something very nice, but not necessarily the only way to be the Church. The Church of the first three centuries was a small church without being a sectarian community. On the contrary, was not closed in sà © same, but felt a responsibility the poor, the sick, of everybody. Were placed in her womb all those derived from a monotheistic faith in their search for a food promessa.Già synagogues, Jewish communities in the cities of the Roman Empire had formed a circle of sympathizers outside the so-called God-fearing, that had approached the Jewish faith and bear witness to its great openness to the outside. The catechumenate of the early Church had a similar function. People who did not feel quite ready to completely identical with the Church, they could approach it in a certain extent and then assess whether to make the final step. This awareness is not a closed club but always be open to the community as a whole has always been an indispensable component in the Church. And in the process of reducing the number that we are experiencing today, we will see just exploring new forms of openness to the outside, new modes of partial involvement of those who are outside the community of credenti.Non I have nothing against people who during the year have never set foot in church they go to Mass on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve or during other holidays because this is also a form of rapprochement with the blessing of the sacred, in his light. There must be different forms of involvement and participation, the Church must be open to those who are inside the margins of her community.
Question. But the Church of mass is not the highest achievement of civilization religion? Is not the Church truly universal, accessible to all, the Church with its thousands of branches offer shelter to every man? The Church can truly give up 'aspiration to be a Church of mass and therefore the Church of the majority? This is an achievement that is still cost huge efforts and sacrifices.
Response. We must take note of our dell'assottigliarsi row, but we must also remain an open Church. The Church can not be a closed, self-sufficient. We have to be missionaries in the first sense to revive the society those values \u200b\u200bthat should inform himself of his conscience, values \u200b\u200bwhich are the foundations of the state form that the company has been given, and which are the basis of the possibility of establishing a social community really umana.In this sense, the debate on what was Once the Church of mass - and in some countries continue to be, and still others will become for the first time - will certainly continue. The Church continues to express its views in the process of lawmaking and to propose the great universal human values \u200b\u200bsuch as the polar star in the process of social construction of a human body. Why, if the law is no longer shared moral foundation, is also void as diritto.Da this point of view, the Church has a universal responsibility. Missionary responsibility means precisely, as the pope, groped really a new evangelization. We can not quietly accept that the rest of humanity plunge back into paganism, we must find a way to bring the Gospel to non-believers. There are already models. The neo-catechumenate has its own model, other communities undertake other efforts. The Church must use all his creativity to ensure that it will not shut the living force of the Gospel. To mold the masses pervade his message and act as their yeast. Just as Jesus said then in a very small community, that of the Apostles: be yeast and salt of the earth. The definition of "leaven" presupposes the very small size on the one hand, but also the universality of responsibility.
From: J. Ratzinger, "God and the world", ed. Paulist Press, 2001, Page 403-406
http://lnx.theseuslibri.it/product.asp?Id=277
Second Vatican Council Decree on the Church's missionary (Ad Gentes), 35-36
"You are the salt of the earth ... You are the light of the world
Since the whole Church is missionary, and the work of evangelization the fundamental duty of the people of God, the sacred synod invites all to a deep interior renewal, so that ©, having a vivid consciousness of their role in the spreading of the Gospel, they may play their part in missionary work . All the faithful, as members of the living Christ, who have been assimilated and incorporated by baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist, have the obligation to cooperate closely the expansion and spreading of his body, so as to take it as soon as possible to its fullness (Eph 4:13). Therefore, all children of the Church should have a lively awareness of their responsibility before the world, they should foster in themselves a truly catholic spirit, and they should spend their forces in the work of evangelization. But everyone knows that the first and most important obligation for the spreading of the faith is to live a profoundly Christian life. For their fervor in the service of God, their love for others to enter as a new breath of spirituality in the whole Church, which will then appear as a sign lifted up among the nations "(Is 11:12), as" the light of the world "and" the salt of the earth. " This testimony of a life will more easily have its effect if it is given together with other Christian groups, according to the Decree on Ecumenism.
We can not quietly accept that the rest of humanity plunge back into paganism, we must find a way to bring the Gospel to non-believers. There are already models. The neo-catechumenate has its own model, other communities undertake other efforts. The Church must use all his creativity to ensure that it will not shut the living force of the Gospel. To mold the masses pervade his message and act as their yeast. Just as Jesus said then to a community very small, that of the Apostles: be yeast and salt of the earth. The definition of "leaven" presupposes the very small size on the one hand, but also the universality of the Church responsabilità.Chiesa mass or minority?
Question. Eminence, many years ago You are expressed in terms of the future prophecy on the Church: the Church, then said, "will be reduced in size, we must start again from scratch. But this test will come out a church that has taken great strength from the process of simplification that will be crossed by the renewed ability to look within himself. Because the inhabitants of a world strictly planned feel unutterably alone ... E rediscover the small community of believers as something quite new. As a hope that they are concerned, as a response that they have always secretly looking for. It seems to have been right. But what is the prospect that awaits us in Europe? Response. To begin with, the Church will be reduced in number? When I made this claim, I poured in from all over accusations of pessimism. And today all prohibitions seem to have fallen into disuse, except the one regarding what is called pessimism and often is nothing but healthy realism. Meanwhile, most admit the decrease in the percentage of baptized Christians in Europe today. In a city like Magdeburg, the percentage of Christians is only 8% of the total population, including - mind you - all the Christian denominations. Statistics show conclusive trends. In this sense, it reduces the possibility of identification between the Church and people in certain cultural areas, such as from us. We simply have to accept that.
Question. What does this mean?
Response. The Church of mass can be something very nice, but not necessarily the only way to be the Church. The Church of the first three centuries was a small church without being a sectarian community. On the contrary, was not closed in sà © same, but felt a responsibility the poor, the sick, of everybody. Were placed in her womb all those derived from a monotheistic faith in their search for a food promessa.Già synagogues, Jewish communities in the cities of the Roman Empire had formed a circle of sympathizers outside the so-called God-fearing, that had approached the Jewish faith and bear witness to its great openness to the outside. The catechumenate of the early Church had a similar function. People who did not feel quite ready to completely identical with the Church, they could approach it in a certain extent and then assess whether to make the final step. This awareness is not a closed club but always be open to the community as a whole has always been an indispensable component in the Church. And in the process of reducing the number that we are experiencing today, we will see just exploring new forms of openness to the outside, new modes of partial involvement of those who are outside the community of credenti.Non I have nothing against people who during the year have never set foot in church they go to Mass on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve or during other holidays because this is also a form of rapprochement with the blessing of the sacred, in his light. There must be different forms of involvement and participation, the Church must be open to those who are inside the margins of her community.
Question. But the Church of mass is not the highest achievement of civilization religion? Is not the Church truly universal, accessible to all, the Church with its thousands of branches offer shelter to every man? The Church can truly give up 'aspiration to be a Church of mass and therefore the Church of the majority? This is an achievement that is still cost huge efforts and sacrifices.
Response. We must take note of our dell'assottigliarsi row, but we must also remain an open Church. The Church can not be a closed, self-sufficient. We have to be missionaries in the first sense to revive the society those values \u200b\u200bthat should inform himself of his conscience, values \u200b\u200bwhich are the foundations of the state form that the company has been given, and which are the basis of the possibility of establishing a social community really umana.In this sense, the debate on what was Once the Church of mass - and in some countries continue to be, and still others will become for the first time - will certainly continue. The Church continues to express its views in the process of lawmaking and to propose the great universal human values \u200b\u200bsuch as the polar star in the process of social construction of a human body. Why, if the law is no longer shared moral foundation, is also void as diritto.Da this point of view, the Church has a universal responsibility. Missionary responsibility means precisely, as the pope, groped really a new evangelization. We can not quietly accept that the rest of humanity plunge back into paganism, we must find a way to bring the Gospel to non-believers. There are already models. The neo-catechumenate has its own model, other communities undertake other efforts. The Church must use all his creativity to ensure that it will not shut the living force of the Gospel. To mold the masses pervade his message and act as their yeast. Just as Jesus said then in a very small community, that of the Apostles: be yeast and salt of the earth. The definition of "leaven" presupposes the very small size on the one hand, but also the universality of responsibility.
From: J. Ratzinger, "God and the world", ed. Paulist Press, 2001, Page 403-406
http://lnx.theseuslibri.it/product.asp?Id=277
Second Vatican Council Decree on the Church's missionary (Ad Gentes), 35-36
"You are the salt of the earth ... You are the light of the world
Since the whole Church is missionary, and the work of evangelization the fundamental duty of the people of God, the sacred synod invites all to a deep interior renewal, so that ©, having a vivid consciousness of their role in the spreading of the Gospel, they may play their part in missionary work . All the faithful, as members of the living Christ, who have been assimilated and incorporated by baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist, have the obligation to cooperate closely the expansion and spreading of his body, so as to take it as soon as possible to its fullness (Eph 4:13). Therefore, all children of the Church should have a lively awareness of their responsibility before the world, they should foster in themselves a truly catholic spirit, and they should spend their forces in the work of evangelization. But everyone knows that the first and most important obligation for the spreading of the faith is to live a profoundly Christian life. For their fervor in the service of God, their love for others to enter as a new breath of spirituality in the whole Church, which will then appear as a sign lifted up among the nations "(Is 11:12), as" the light of the world "and" the salt of the earth. " This testimony of a life will more easily have its effect if it is given together with other Christian groups, according to the Decree on Ecumenism.
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