Gospel Message and Mission of the Church
1. Scriptural Sources:
Excerpted Texts from JW:
“…the present-day situation … urges us to listen with a humble and open heart to the word of God, as he shows us new paths towards action in the cause of justice in the world.” (no.29)
“In the Old Testament God reveals himself to us as the liberator of the oppressed … It is only in the observance of the duties of justice that God is truly recognized as the liberator of the oppressed.” (no.30)
“… Christ identified himself with his ‘least ones,’ as he stated: ’As you did it to one of the least of these … you did it to me’ – Mt. 25:40” (no. 31)
“… Christian love of neighbor and justice cannot be separated” (no. 34)
“In the Old Testament God reveals himself to us as the liberator of the oppressed … It is only in the observance of the duties of justice that God is truly recognized as the liberator of the oppressed.” (no.30)
“… Christ identified himself with his ‘least ones,’ as he stated: ’As you did it to one of the least of these … you did it to me’ – Mt. 25:40” (no. 31)
“… Christian love of neighbor and justice cannot be separated” (no. 34)
Comments:(1) The document emphasizes that there is a very close connection between our relationship to God and our relationship to our neighbor. The bishops want to repudiate that kind of dualism which would see Christianity as ‘spiritual’ and other-worldly in its essential character, so that issues of justice in this world are of secondary or peripheral importance to it. They insist that the ‘present situation of the world, seen in the light of faith, calls us back to the very essence of the Christian message.
(2) Jesus Christ revealed himself as the fullness of God’s justice and made present God’s kingdom of justice and love. The kingdom of Jesus Christ is present whenever justice and love is practiced by those who profess to follow Him. The teaching of Jesus on social justice is summarized in the sermon on the Mount and in the beatitudes (Lk. 6:20-26). (3) The call of Moses gives an even sharper picture of God as liberating His people. Out of the burning bush the Lord said: “I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers … Come now, I will send you to Pharaoh to lead my people out of Egypt.” (Ex. 3:7, 10) (4) The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of freedom and a force for liberation … liberation that is first and foremost liberation from the radical slavery of sin. Its end and its goal is the freedom of the sons of God, which is the gift of grace. It calls for freedom from many different kinds of slavery in the cultural, economic, social and political spheres, all of which derive ultimately from sin, and so prevent people from living in a manner befitting their dignity (Instruction on Theology of Liberation, Introduction). (5) The Exodus liberation of the Old Testament is the background for Jesus’ saving work as the new Moses. He teaches a new hierarchy of values that undermined the oppressive social structures of his day. But how did Jesus actually liberate? First, he exposed the enslaving, corrupting power of riches. Jesus showed that giving was better that taking, sharing more liberating than hoarding. For Jesus, the key to economic liberation was twofold: 1.) to free human hearts from their greed and self-seeking; and 2.) to inspire them with respect for other, sensitivity and compassion for the needy, and a generous, outgoing love for those in want. Second, Jesus taught that any power not rooted in mutual service was enslaving and oppressive. “Whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all.” Love is ultimately the only power that sets people free. Third, Jesus liberated his followers from the common social prejudices that bound them. These were the customary ways of honoring the wise and the rich while discriminating against foreigners, women, public sinners and outcasts. He taught concern for “the little ones” of the Kingdom. Finally, Jesus freed his contemporaries from mere external, legalistic religious obedience to the Law by internalizing and prioritizing its obligations (nos. 496-498, Catechism for Filipino Catholics). (6) Christian Love can be authentic only if it awakens individuals to their social and communitarian responsibilities. PCP ll states: “While the demand for justice is implied in love, still justice attains its inner fullness only in love. For in justice, the other person can remain ‘another’, an alien. In love the other is a friend, even a brother or sister in Christ. (305) 2. Role of the Church Texts excerpted from JW “The Church has received from Christ the mission of preaching the Gospel message … to proclaim justice on the social, national and international level, and to denounce instances of injustice, when the fundamental rights of people and their very salvation demand it … of giving witness before the world of the need for love and justtic3 contained in the Gospel message …” (no. 36) “… Her mission involves defending and promoting the dignity and fundamental rights of the human person.” (no. 37) “ … Christians ought to fulfill their temporal obligations with fidelity and competence. They should act as a leaven in the world, in their family, professional, social, cultural and political life…” (no. 38) Comments (1) A balance must be maintained between the evangelizing mission of proclaiming the Gospel and the trust for justice and liberation. Evangelization and human liberation, while not identical, are clearly intimately connected. PCP ll speaks of a renewed evangelization which does not stop at the building of the Church. It seeks to transform the whole fabric of society according to the values of the kingdom and of Christ. Thus, the Church promotes human development, integral liberation, justice and peace in society and the integrity of creation. The need for such evangelization is shown by the fact that while our churches are filled on Sundays, our society remains a sick society. (no., 1419, Catechism for Filipino Catholics ) (2) The mission of the Church in the Philippines today is: To help build truly Filipino communities of Faith, whose resources are directed towards total human development, the establishment of Justice and National reconciliation. (Church and Politics by Bishop Teodoro Bacani, p.13) |
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