John 8, 31-41 + CSDC and CV

John 8, 31-41 + CSDC and CV 

CV 79b Development requires attention to the spiritual life, a serious consideration of the experiences of trust in God, spiritual fellowship in Christ, reliance upon God's providence and mercy, love and forgiveness, self-denial, acceptance of others, justice and peace. All this is essential if “hearts of stone” are to be transformed into “hearts of flesh” (Ezek 36:26), rendering life on earth “divine” and thus more worthy of humanity. All this is of man, because man is the subject of his own existence; and at the same time it is of God, because God is at the beginning and end of all that is good, all that leads to salvation: “the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's” (1 Cor 3:22-23).

Non-Governmental Organizations and Movements for human rights

 CSDC 443. The Magisterium positively evaluates the associations that have formed in civil society in order to shape public opinion in its awareness of the various aspects of international life, with particular attention paid to the respect of human rights, as seen in “the number of recently established private associations, some worldwide in membership, almost all of them devoted to monitoring with great care and commendable objectivity what is happening internationally in this sensitive field”.[921] Governments should feel encouraged by such commitments, which seek to put into practice the ideals underlying the international community, “particularly through the practical gestures of solidarity and peace made by the many individuals also involved in Non-Governmental Organizations and in Movements for human rights”.[922]

Notes: [921] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 26: AAS 80 (1988), 544-547. [922] John Paul II, Message for the 2004 World Day of Peace, 7: AAS 96 (2004), 118.

(John 8, 31-41) So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free  

[31] Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." [33] They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?" [34] Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. [35] A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. [36] So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free. [37] I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. [38] I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father." [39] They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. [40] But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. [41] You are doing the works of your father!" (So) they said to him, "We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God."

CSDC 41. Personal and social life, as well as human action in the world, is always threatened by sin. Jesus Christ, however, “by suffering for us ... not only gave us an example so that we might follow in His footsteps, but He also opened up a way. If we follow this path, life and death are made holy and acquire a new meaning”[41]. Christ's disciple adheres, in faith and through the sacraments, to Jesus' Paschal Mystery, so that his old self, with its evil inclinations, is crucified with Christ. As a new creation he is then enabled by grace to “walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4). This “holds true not for Christians alone but also for all people of good will in whose hearts grace is active invisibly. For since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the Paschal Mystery”[42].

Notes: [41] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 22: AAS 58 (1966), 1043. [42] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 22: AAS 58 (1966), 1043. 

[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)]