Mark 13,1-13 + CSDC and CV

Mark 13,1-13 + CSDC and CV

CV 10. A fresh reading of Populorum Progressio, more than forty years after its publication, invites us to remain faithful to its message of charity and truth, viewed within the overall context of Paul VI's specific magisterium and, more generally, within the tradition of the Church's social doctrine. Moreover, an evaluation is needed of the different terms in which the problem of development is presented today, as compared with forty years ago. The correct viewpoint, then, is that of the Tradition of the apostolic faith[13], a patrimony both ancient and new, outside of which  Populorum Progressio would be a document without roots — and issues concerning development would be reduced to merely sociological data.

Notes: [13] Cf. Benedict XVI, Address to the Inauguration of the Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean  (Aparecida, 13 May 2007).

Ultimate and exhaustive answer: human reason opens itself to religiousness

CSDC 15b. Moreover, it is dealt here with questions that are essentially religious: “When the ‘why of things' is investigated integrally with the search for the ultimate and exhaustive answer, then human reason reaches its apex and opens itself to religiousness. ... religiousness represents the loftiest expression of the human person, because it is the culmination of his rational nature. It springs from man's profound aspiration for truth and is at the basis of the free and personal search he makes for the divine”[18].

Notes: [18] John Paul II, Address at General Audience (19 October 1983), 2: L'Osservatore Romano, English edition, 24 October 1983, p. 9.

(Mk 13,1-13) You will be hated by all because of my name 

 [1] As he was making his way out of the temple area one of his disciples said to him, "Look, teacher, what stones and what buildings!" [2] Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be one stone left upon another that will not be thrown down." [3] As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple area, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, [4] "Tell us, when will this happen, and what sign will there be when all these things are about to come to an end?" [5] Jesus began to say to them, "See that no one deceives you. [6] Many will come in my name saying, 'I am he,' and they will deceive many. [7] When you hear of wars and reports of wars do not be alarmed; such things must happen, but it will not yet be the end. [8] Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes from place to place and there will be famines. These are the beginnings of the labor pains. [9] "Watch out for yourselves. They will hand you over to the courts. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will be arraigned before governors and kings because of me, as a witness before them. [10] But the gospel must first be preached to all nations. [11] When they lead you away and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say. But say whatever will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the holy Spirit. [12] Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. [13] You will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

CSDC 34. The revelation in Christ of the mystery of God as Trinitarian love is at the same time the revelation of the vocation of the human person to love. This revelation sheds light on every aspect of the personal dignity and freedom of men and women, and on the depths of their social nature. “Being a person in the image and likeness of God ... involves existing in a relationship, in relation to the other ‘I'”[36], because God himself, one and triune, is the communion of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In the communion of love that is God, and in which the Three Divine Persons mutually love one another and are the One God, the human person is called to discover the origin and goal of his existence and of history. The Council Fathers, in the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, teach that “the Lord Jesus Christ, when praying to the Father ‘that they may all be one ... as we are one' (Jn 17:21-22), has opened up new horizons closed to human reason by implying that there is a certain parallel between the union existing among the divine Persons and the union of the children of God in truth and love. It follows, then, that if man is the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake, man can fully discover his true self only in a sincere giving of himself (cf. Lk 17:33)”[37]. 

Notes: [36] John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem, 7: AAS 80 (1988), 1664. [37] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 24: AAS 58 (1966), 1045. 

[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)]