Monday, March 16, 2015
John 20, 24-31 + CSDC and CV
John 20, 24-31 +
CSDC and CV
CV 17 a. 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. Paul VI was in no doubt that
obstacles and forms of conditioning hold up development, but he was also
certain that “each one remains, whatever be these influences affecting him, the
principal agent of his own success or failure.”[39]
Notes: [38] Ibid., 11: loc. cit., 262; cf. John Paul
II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus,
25: loc. cit., 822-824. [39] Encyclical Letter
Populorum Progressio, 15: loc. cit., 265.
CSDC 538. The entire people of God has a role to play as
the Church fulfils her mission. In various ways and through every member according to the gifts and the
manner of acting proper to each vocation, the people of God must respond to the
duty to proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel (cf. 1 Cor 9:16),
in the awareness that “missionary activity is a matter for all Christians”.[1136]
Pastoral work in the social sector is also meant for all Christians, who are
called to become active subjects in bearing witness to this social doctrine
and to be fully part of the solid tradition of the “fruitful activity of many
millions of people, who, spurred on by the social Magisterium, have sought to
make that teaching the inspiration for their involvement in the world”[1137].
Acting either as individuals or together with others in various groups,
associations and organizations, Christians of today represent “a great
movement for the defence of the human person and the safeguarding of human
dignity”[1138].
Notes: [1136] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Redemptoris Missio, 2: AAS
83 (1991), 250. [1137] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus,
3: AAS 83 (1991), 795. [1138] John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus
Annus, 3: AAS 83 (1991), 796.
[24] Thomas, called Didymus, one of
the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples said
to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I
see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and
put my hand into his side, I will not believe." [26] Now a week later his
disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the
doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with
you." [27] Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my
hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving,
but believe." [28] Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my
God!" [29] Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you
have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." [30]
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not
written in this book. [31] But these are written that you may (come to) believe
that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may
have life in his name.
CSDC 545. The lay faithful are called to cultivate an
authentic lay spirituality by which they are reborn as new men and women, both
sanctified and sanctifiers, immersed in the mystery of God and inserted in
society. Such a spirituality will build up the world according to Jesus'
Spirit. It will make people capable of looking beyond history, without
separating themselves from it, of cultivating a passionate love for God without
looking away from their bothers and sisters, whom they are able to see as the
Lord sees them and love as the Lord loves them. This spirituality precludes
both an intimist spiritualism and a social activism, expressing itself instead
in a life- giving synthesis that bestows unity, meaning and hope on an
existence that for so many different reasons is contradictory and fragmented.
Prompted by such a spirituality, the lay faithful are able to contribute “to
the sanctification of the world, as from within like leaven, by fulfilling
their own particular duties. Thus, especially by the witness of their own life
... they must manifest Christ to others”[1144].
Notes: [1144] Second Vatican
Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 31: AAS
57 (1965), 37-38.
[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)]
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