Christianity, the religion of the "God who has a human face"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We continue with Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate”:

1. The Christian revelation of the unity of the human race presupposes a metaphysical interpretation of the “humanum” in which relationality is an essential element. Other cultures and religions teach brotherhood and peace and are therefore of enormous importance to integral human development. Some religious and cultural attitudes, however, do not fully embrace the principle of love and truth and therefore end up retarding or even obstructing authentic human development. There are certain religious cultures in the world today that do not oblige men and women to live in communion but rather cut them off from one other in a search for individual well-being, limited to the gratification of psychological desires. Furthermore, a certain proliferation of different religious “paths”, attracting small groups or even single individuals, together with religious syncretism, can give rise to separation and disengagement. One possible negative effect of the process of globalization is the tendency to favour this kind of syncretism by encouraging forms of “religion” that, instead of bringing people together, alienate them from one another and distance them from reality. At the same time, some religious and cultural traditions persist which ossify society in rigid social groupings, in magical beliefs that fail to respect the dignity of the person, and in attitudes of subjugation to occult powers. In these contexts, love and truth have difficulty asserting themselves, and authentic development is impeded.

For this reason, while it may be true that development needs the religions and cultures of different peoples, it is equally true that adequate discernment is needed. Religious freedom does not mean religious indifferentism, nor does it imply that all religions are equal. Discernment is needed regarding the contribution of cultures and religions, especially on the part of those who wield political power, if the social community is to be built up in a spirit of respect for the common good. Such discernment has to be based on the criterion of charity and truth. Since the development of persons and peoples is at stake, this discernment will have to take account of the need for emancipation and inclusivity, in the context of a truly universal human community. “The whole man and all men” is also the criterion for evaluating cultures and religions. Christianity, the religion of the “God who has a human face”, contains this very criterion within itself.

Reading the Pope’s words from 2009 have even more meaning as we see how there are cultural differences that we had not perceived before – at least many of us had not seen as much in the daily news reports on TV. As I read this encyclical I am mindful of our need to pray as individuals and as families for all those with responsibilities for those in their charge.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. Today on your feasts as Our Lady of Rabsm, Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Walsingham, look upon the children Jesus gave you from His Cross. Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 

[patricius79]

Some religious and cultural attitudes, however, do not fully embrace the principle of love and truth and therefore end up retarding or even obstructing authentic human development. There are certain religious cultures in the world today that do not oblige men and women to live in communion but rather cut them off from one other in a search for individual well-being, limited to the gratification of psychological desires.

That is helpful. Thank you dear big sister, MariaChristi. Yes, we need to see truth and love in the face of Jesus Christ, so that we can find true religious and spiritual unity with one another. We all have the same God and the same Blessed Mother.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks so much for your reply, dear brother Pat. Yes, how important it is for us to pray daily that God may transform us and give us the mind and heart of Christ to love one another as Christ has loved us.

Jesus’ words from the Cross, “Behold your Mother” need to be heard more and more deeply by the Church, and obeyed as the beloved disciple obeyed them, by taking Mary into his life.
Mary is all we are called to be. As the CCC teaches Mary is the Escahatological Icon of the Church. (cf CCC paragraphs 964 - 972)

 

[patricius79]

How beautiful dear sister. Yes: Mary is all we are called to be. We can invoke her, praying that all people would come to the unity of the one faith in Jesus Christ.

 

[MariaChristi]

Yes, let us pray always with our Mother – always going to Jesus through Mary and with her.

 

[patricius79]

Religious and moral relativism is so empty, especially when contrasted with the beauty of having Mary as our Mother in Christ.

If the world only knew where to find Jesus, the source of all consolation and life.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, brother Pat,

Yes, in fact we are called to seek Him and find Him as the Wise Men sought the newborn King. The found Him with His Mother!