The Social Mission of the Church PDF

THEOLOGY 3: CHRISTIAN VISION OF THE CHURCH IN SOCIETY: SOCIAL MISSION OF THE CHURCH Picture Analysis What do the following pictures portray? Am I socially aware?  Am I socially involved? HAPAG NG PAG-ASA Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA8UQ67lNm0  POINTS...

THEOLOGY 3: CHRISTIAN VISION OF THE CHURCH IN SOCIETY: SOCIAL MISSION OF THE CHURCH Picture Analysis What do the following pictures portray? Am I socially aware?  Am I socially involved? HAPAG NG PAG-ASA Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA8UQ67lNm0  POINTS FOR REFLECTION In the midst of a challenging world, how do we aid for our brethren like the children portrayed on the painting of Joey Velasco? When we encounter situations like theirs, how do we feel? Do we feel a sense of urgency to do something for them? Are we challenged to get involved with their plight given the resources that we have? Do we make it a point to realize that as a brother/sister, we have a responsibility to look after by virtue of common humanity, more so, as Christians? Essen%al Ques%ons 1. How did the concept of social justice develop over time? 2. How did Jesus teach social justice? 3. Does the Church imitate the example of Jesus in responding to pressing social issues? In what way has she promoted the way of Christ? 4. How does she make manifest her social mission?  BIBLICAL FOUNDATION “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” Luke 4: 18-19  “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ” Gaudium et Spes, 1  The Church is always mindful of the conditions of the people in society. She has the mission to proclaim the Gospel not only to those who are privileged and fortunate in life but also those who are poor, marginalized, deprived, and voiceless in the society. Social issues are also of prime concern of the Church The origin and foundation of the Social Mission of the Church are rooted in the Judeo-Christian Tradition  SHALOM Yahweh is a righteous God in the Old Testament so He encourages His people as well to become just and righteous in order to realize peace or shalom (over-all harmony) in His Kingdom. The Judeo-Christian Tradition Expressions of Justice are: Sedekah Mishpath Hesed Dikaiosune  Sedekah It is manifested by The right relationship Yahweh in His that God has relationship with Israel established It means right and with all things He demonstrates the way relationship. has made, and by of justice for human Israel, in her response beings in dealing with of obedience, reverence one another. and faithfulness to God.  Sedakah The word sedakah also corresponds to Yahweh‘s It is identical with righteousness. Yahweh Some terms related to deliverance and salvation, shows his righteousness Yahweh‘s sedakah are describing it as associated by keeping the covenant mercy, compassion and to a norm established by and being the very source salvation. God. of righteousness. (Ps. 111: 3, 5, 9).  Mishpath This is It is justice where It is also a based on Yahweh court of law It depicts the context refuses wherein the the forensic of the injustice accused is nature of failure of because punished justice. the right the right and the relationship relationship victim is. is being vindicated. violated.  Mishpath The arbiter, the King-God, secures Yahweh is a judge who punishes the order in the community by applying the wicked one and rewards the righteous mishpath. It implies deliverance for one. Thus, He corrects wrongdoings in those who are just and innocent, but order to restore right relationship. harsh for the wicked and sinful.  Hesed Yahweh‘s hesed is manifested in His everlasting love for Israel. It is often (Ps. 25: 6, Jer. translated as Hesed is the 31: 3), Yahweh is the loving expression of remaining epitome and kindness. Other loving kindness faithful in spite example of translations are in the Kingdom of Israel‘s doing hesed to steadfast love, of Yahweh. unfaithfulness others. mercy and (Hos. 2), and compassion. showing compassion and mercy for her sins (Isa. 54: 8).  Dikaiosune The metaphor of the Kingdom of Jesus’ invitation God embodies to strive first for the way God The Greek word relates with the Kingdom of dikaiosune can people and God and His be rendered sheds light on the righteousness righteousness or word dikaiosune (Mt. 6: 33) is as the manner by justice. basically which God wants relational. to be ―king or as to be the divine will is followed.  In the New Testament, Jesus Christ proclaims that the Kingdom of God is already at hand and the Beatitudes are the ways to attain its fullness.  God reigns where the divine will is done. The Lord‘s Prayer in Luke The right 11: 2-4 are situation is petitions for the doing justice to coming of God‘s humankind for it Kingdom and is the one willed for the doing of by God. the divine will. Jesus‘ initial proclamation of the justice of God ― to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free and announce the Lord‘s year of mercy/favor (Lk. 4: 18-19) resonates the prophet Isaiah‘s announcement of God giving ― justice to His people (Is. 60: 21; 61: 1- 3). Jesus‘ proclamation of the Kingdom of God also entails renewal and righteousness by witnessing the Gospel.  The Beatitudes of Jesus are also considered as expressions and ways to realize the right relationship in the Kingdom of God. The Beatitudes of Blessed are you Poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ according to Blessed are you Hungry, you shall be satisfied. Matthew 5: 3-10: Blessed are you that Weep, you shall laugh. Blessed are those Mourn, they shall be comforted. Blessed are the Meek, they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the Merciful, they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are Pure in Heart, they shall see God. Blessed are the Peacemakers, they shall be called children of God.  The Gospel shows in an abundance of texts that Jesus was not indifferent or extraneous to the problem of the dignity and rights of the human person, nor to the needs of the weakest, the neediest, and the victims of injustice. Jesus‘ concern was not limited to the forgiveness of sins: At all times He stressed a real solidarity with the poorest and lowliest (Matthew 11:28-30). He cured the sick, lepers and blind men, and many more. He fed thousands of hungry people. He personally took upon Himself the description of the Suffering Messiah as foretold by Isaiah. The Church continues to struggle for the realization of the Kingdom of God through ongoing renewal and consistent propagation of the Gospel through words and deeds. The social mission of the Church is rooted in the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ to love and serve by promoting and protecting the wellbeing of the human persons. Just like the mission of Jesus Christ, the mission of the Church to the society is threefold: Kingly, Priestly and Prophetic. King One‘s commitment to serve others through active participation to integral human development. Priest Our capacity to pray for one another and our ability to establish a deeper relationship with God through prayer and worship. Prophet Proclaiming peace founded on truth, built according to justice, integrated by charity and practiced in freedom.  The Church and the Questions of ‘Just Relations’ among People The Church in the Philippines has been known as the forerunner of truth and justice among the Filipinos regardless of ethnicity, gender and religion. It is not to be identified with any political partisan in order to become a credible herald of peace, justice and truth; and proponent of unawa (understanding), awa (mercy) and gawa (deeds) among people particularly the marginalized.  RESPECT vs. Discrimination The Church in the Philippines is expected to be the advocate of impartiality that shuns any form of discrimination, conflict and political animosity. The Church is also called to promote respect for races, genders, religions and point of views so that national unity and healing are attainable.  RESPECT vs. Discrimination Discrimination and neglect are obstacles to the full development of persons and of society as a whole. Everyone has a role and needs to have the opportunity to improve themselves so that they can take their place in society and participate fully in the community they find themselves in.  RESPECT vs. Discrimination This aspiration can only be achieved through the recognition of people’s capacities, potentials, and rights as well as in ensuring that the structures in the communities and in society as a whole support this goal.  Duc in Altum (“Put out into the deep” Lk. 5:4) Each Catholic is a missionary. He/she is immersed and conscious of the signs of the times making him/her capable of bringing people closer to the Kingdom of God. Like the apostles of Jesus Christ, we are also fishers of men by witnessing our faith.  As Agent of Hope and Transformation Christ commanded his disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). It is through baptism that members of the Christian community ―are called to a holiness of life in the world befitting disciples of Jesus.  As Agent of Hope and Transformation Discipleship is the fundamental vocation in which the Church's mission and ministry find full meaning. As disciples of Jesus, we are called into communion with both God and others and are sent in mission to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.  As Agent of Hope and Transformation The Synod of Bishops spoke about the relation between the Gospel and justice: ―Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel. The Church fulfills her mission of preaching the Gospel when it teaches the demands of justice. Responding to the Demands of our Contemporary Communities a. The Fact of Religious Pluralism The Church recognizes and defends the fundamental dignity of man to be free from coercion in matters religious. The Church position on religious pluralism: All men are called in freedom to Jesus Christ and to his Church, which has a divine mission, indeed a mandate, to evangelize the whole world, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:10–11). To all peoples, the Church preaches Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and a folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:23–24). All men and women are called by God to faith and baptism in Jesus Christ. Responding to the Demands of our Contemporary Communities b. Truthful Tolerance The Declaration on Religious Freedom of Vatican II, Dignitatis Humanae, cast a new light. The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that: All men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or social groups and of any human power No one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs Not to be restrained from acting in accordance with his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits. Responding to the Demands of our Contemporary Communities c. Fidelity to Proclaim the Kingdom of God The Church, endowed with the gifts of her founder and faithfully observing his precepts of charity, humility and self-denial, received the mission of proclaiming and establishing among all peoples the Kingdom of Christ and of God, and she is, on earth, the seed and the beginning of that Kingdom. The Church‘s mission is the same as it was yesterday, today, and tomorrow: to evangelize the whole world. ―It is the duty of the Church, therefore, in her preaching to proclaim the Cross of Christ as the sign of God‘s universal love and the source of all grace.  ACTIVITY Based on one’s role as a prophet, king, and priest, list down 5-8 things that a THOMASIAN ______________ should do in this Ame of pandemic as his/her parAcipaAon in the social mission of the Church NOTE: This task is invitational; hence, not required for submission. But you are highly encouraged and invited to do this meaningful activity not only for academic reasons but also as your voluntary participation to the Church’s social mission.