Christopher Johnson of Mid West Conservative draws attention to a sermon by Kallistos Ware and to the encyclical Caritas in Veritate by Benedict XVI.
He also makes comparison between the profoundness observable in these pieces and the lack thereof in some other places! We live in interesting times as Anglicans ...
Universal truths ..
ReplyDeleteFrom Caritas in veritate chapter 1.17 .. “A vocation is a call that requires a free and responsible answer. Integral human development presupposes the responsible freedom of the individual and of peoples: no structure can guarantee this development over and above human responsibility. The “types of messianism which give promises but create illusions”[38] always build their case on a denial of the transcendent dimension of development, in the conviction that it lies entirely at their disposal. This false security becomes a weakness, because it involves reducing man to subservience, to a mere means for development, while the humility of those who accept a vocation is transformed into true autonomy, because it sets them free.”
Something I’ve tried to say so often with regards to the role [vocation] of women, but is generally only spoken of with regard to the vocation of the deacon, priest and bishop of our church.
From Caritas in veritate chapter 1.19 .. “Reason, by itself, is capable of grasping the equality between men and of giving stability to their civic coexistence, but it cannot establish fraternity. This originates in a transcendent vocation from God the Father, who loved us first, teaching us through the Son what fraternal charity is.”
Something so obvious in the Anglican community today.
From Caritas in veritate chapter 5.55 .. “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.”
Back to my first point!!! Thanks Peter.
Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth is just wonderful. If you haven't read it go get a copy and do so.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice
ReplyDeleteNo, unread yet - must get a copy!