Mark 8, 22-26 + CSDC and CV

Mark 8, 22-26 + CSDC and CV

CV 78a. Without God man neither knows which way to go, nor even understands who he is. In the face of the enormous problems surrounding the development of peoples, which almost make us yield to discouragement, we find solace in the sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ, who teaches us: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5) and then encourages us: “I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20). As we contemplate the vast amount of work to be done, we are sustained by our faith that God is present alongside those who come together in his name to work for justice. Paul VI recalled in Populorum Progressio that man cannot bring about his own progress unaided, because by himself he cannot establish an authentic humanism.

The help that the Church offers to modern man  

CSDC 575a. In modern society, people are increasingly experiencing a new need for meaning. “Man will always yearn to know, at least in an obscure way, what is the meaning of his life, of his activity, of his death”[1206]. It is difficult to meet the demands of building the future in a new context of an even more complex and interdependent international relations that are also less and less ordered and peaceful.

Notes: [1206] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 41: AAS 58 (1966), 1059.

(Mk 8, 22-26)  His sight was restored and he could see everything

[22] When they arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. [23] He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, "Do you see anything?" [24] Looking up he replied, "I see people looking like trees and walking." [25] Then he laid hands on his eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. [26] Then he sent him home and said, "Do not even go into the village."

CSDC 110. The relationship between God and man is reflected in the relational and social dimension of human nature. Man, in fact, is not a solitary being, but “a social being, and unless he relates himself to others he can neither live nor develop his potential”[208]. In this regard the fact that God created human beings as man and woman (cf. Gen 1:27) is significant[209]: “How very significant is the dissatisfaction which marks man's life in Eden as long as his sole point of reference is the world of plants and animals (cf. Gen 2:20). Only the appearance of the woman, a being who is flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones (cf. Gen 2:23), and in whom the spirit of God the Creator is also alive, can satisfy the need for interpersonal dialogue, so vital for human existence. In one's neighbour, whether man or woman, there is a reflection of God himself, the definitive goal and fulfilment of every person”[210]. 

Notes: [208] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 12: AAS 58 (1966), 1034. [209] Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 369.[210] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae, 35: AAS 87 (1995), 440.

[Initials and Abbreviations.- CSDC: Pontifical Council for Justice And Peace, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church; -  SDC: Social Doctrine of the Church; - CV: Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in truth)].