The Church's Nature and Mission Lecture Notes PDF

Page |1 TOPIC I: THE CHURCH’S NATURE AND ITS MISSION “All religion say in one way or another that man does not, and cannot, stand alone. He is vitally related with and even dependent on powers in Natu...

Page |1 TOPIC I: THE CHURCH’S NATURE AND ITS MISSION “All religion say in one way or another that man does not, and cannot, stand alone. He is vitally related with and even dependent on powers in Nature and Society external t himself. Dimly or clearly, he knows that he is not an independent center of force capable of standing apart from the world. - John B. Noss, Man’s Religion Jesus the Christ, revealed to us everything that we knew about the Father to us. He is the Emmanuel—the eternal presence of the Abba in this human race. Henceforth, it will always be God’s initiative meeting us where we are. If it was not because of His effort and love, barely we can see His face or have a glimpse of His countenance. On this milieu full of skepticism and uncertainty of knowledge, how possible it is for man reconcile faith and reason as primary instrument to attain truth? Certainly, we have learned from our Philosophy of man that—man is always in search of the ultimate principle, reason and causes of things! He is attracted to the oneness, goodness and truthfulness! These are the transcendental properties of being. Ang pag- memeron (esse=to be/being) ng isang pag-iral (nature) na umiiral (existence) ay napapaloob sa tatlong katangian : Ang pagiging Isa, mabuti at totoo. Samakat’wid, ang lahat ng ito ay sumasalamin sa kagandahan! The transcendental properties of one, true and the good is the summation of beauty. If we go back to our discussion last week. I have mentioned there (4) different ways namely; Creation, Scriptures, Church and other religion! In the creation, all the creatures of God reveals God’s grandeur and power! The one who puts everything into order and perfect symmetry. GOD IS THE EPITOME OF BEAUTY! DISCUSSION PROPER 1. Etymology Faith, per se can be defined in various ways based on the point of view of a certain people or group of individuals. It may be diverse due to the numerous beliefs, systems and philosophy but this is the most common definition of faith. It is something that is personal. Rooting its origin sense from the Greek word: Πίστις (pistis), a word expressing assurance, confidence and belief—that is to be firm or solid, and hence to be true to our conviction. Our faith mirror who we are. It mirror our principles and life and thus, reflects the God we believe. In addition, when I say it is a personal disposition, it cannot be taken away from us, nor other people has the right to insist us what to do. It would be rude for someone if you preach your doctrine while you shut your mind, understanding his or her belief. Instead of building, you are burning bridges towards a possible dialogue for unity. Ergo, faith expresses fidelity—that is to stand firm with your conviction despite the obstacles laid before you. 2. Biblical Foundation Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1). Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6). Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7). And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrew 11:6). For we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7). Other relevant Scriptural Passages on Faith AD USUM PRIVATUM. THIS IS LECTURE IS A PERSONAL PROPERTY OF PROF. BRIAN G. ROMASOC, MPM  Page |2  (Ephesians 3:16-17)  (Hebrews 11:6)  (John 11:40)  (James 1:3)  (Mark 9:23)  (John 6:35)  (John 3:16)  (Matthew 17:20)  (John 7:38)  (Mark 11:24)  (James 1:6) 3. Christological Aspect All Salvation Comes through Christ; this is cited from the general audience of Pope John Paul II. “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). In their attempt to grow in numbers or to promote their particular religion, laying down the “perks of instant salvation” has been the favorite marketing technique of the many world religion and cults. For a being, who is in a state of religious crisis or complexity, this probably secures his or her feeling towards the fear of the unknown especially on the life hereafter. In a strictest sense, we do not really need to work hard for our salvation. After all, God has determined already our fate that is to be with him in the throughout eternity. However, in a loose sense, how do we participate or give ourselves to that definitive end with God? Is faith necessary for salvation? Moreover, which comes first, knowing or believing? How your religion does bring you to the thing called—salvation! Religion categorically means to “bind fast” or rely on”, thus placing the notion of “bonding between humans and gods” Also, others wrote that the word “religion is from the Anglo-French which means “piety or devotion”. Religion directly the means “respect for the sacred. “Who will be saved or who is those elected for the salvation of the Divine Lord Jesus Christ?” that remains to be a perennial question for everybody not including the various disputes and argumentation among the learned ones concerning what religion hold the autonomy to say: WE ARE AUTHORITY WHEN WE SPEAK OF SALVATION! To answer that, we should first juxtapose these two different entities, FAITH IN RELIGION AND FAITH IN CHRIST. It is through the power of God that we are all save! Above all, it is through Jesus’ death and resurrection that we enjoy the fullness of redemption through His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Needless to say that THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF HUMAN EFFORT CAN BE TANTAMOUNT TO THIS DIVINE SACRIFICE. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (New Revised Standard Version). Henceforth, religion per se is not the end in itself but rather it is an instrument on how do we get there! Religion is a means to salvation, and NEVER its fullness of it! On his Encyclical letter, Redempotoris Missio, John Paul II mentioned that: the gift of salvation cannot be limited "to those who explicitly believe in Christ and have entered the Church. Since salvation is offered to all, it must be made concretely available to all." And, in admitting that it is concretely impossible for many people to have access to the Gospel message, I added: "Many people do not have the opportunity to come to know or accept the Gospel revelation or to enter the Church. The social and cultural conditions in which they live do not permit this, and frequently they have been brought up in other religious traditions (RM # 10). Religions can exercise a positive influence on the destiny of those who belong to them and follow their guidance in a sincere spirit. However, if decisive action for salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit, we must keep in mind that man receives his salvation only from Christ through the Holy Spirit. Salvation already begins during earthly life. This grace, when accepted and responded to, brings forth fruit in the gospel sense for earth and for heaven. (JP II General Audience – May 31, 1995) AD USUM PRIVATUM. THIS IS LECTURE IS A PERSONAL PROPERTY OF PROF. BRIAN G. ROMASOC, MPM  Page |3 Hence the importance of the Church's indispensable role. She "is not an end unto herself, but rather is fervently concerned to be completely of Christ, in Christ and for Christ, as well as completely of men, among men and for men." This role then is not "ecclesiocentric," as is sometimes said. The Church does not exist nor does she work for herself, but is at the service of a humanity called to divine sonship in Christ (cf. RM 19). She thus exercises an implicit mediation also with regard to those who do not know the Gospel. Having said so, we come into the realization that, salvation is obtain through our faith in the one Savior of us all--that is Jesus our loving Messiah. In addition, the church will always be at the service of humanity—to be its moral compass to know God and lead us into the realization of of sublime identity as Man of God. 4. Magisterium The following are some the salient points based on our catechism concerning Faith: - “Before this faith can be exercised, man must have the grace of God to move and assist Him; he must have the interior helps of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and converts it to God, who opens the eyes of the mind and ‘makes it easy for all to accept and believe the truth.’ (CCC, 153.; DV, 5.) - “Man is by nature and vocation a religious being. Coming from God, going toward God, man lives a fully human life only if he freely lives by his own bond with God” [Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994, 44. (CCC)] - God Himself has implanted within man a natural capacity to know Him, and has written within man’s heart the desire for Him. (CCC, 27) - Man is sure that God is, for he can know God with certainty by natural reason on the basis of His works (CCC, 50.) - In many ways throughout the history down to the present day, men have given expression to their quest for God in their religious beliefs and behaviour: in their prayers, sacrifices, rituals, meditations, and so forth. These forms of religious expression, despite the ambiguities they often bring with them, are so universal that one may call man as a religious being. (CCC, 28.) Addendum to the discussion (Please see the Catechism for the Filipino Catholics)  Concepts of Faith in Vatican I and Vatican II  Models of Faith  Characteristics of faith 5. Theological Conflict o Sola Scriptura – Knowing the scriptures is the best way for salvation o Sola fides—Faith alone save us! There is no need for God works o Irreligion – In relation to Faith in Christ o Faith and Science –Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Methodological research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. AD USUM PRIVATUM. THIS IS LECTURE IS A PERSONAL PROPERTY OF PROF. BRIAN G. ROMASOC, MPM  Page |4 6. Points for reflections 1) What role does belief in a higher power or divine entity play in the necessity of faith for salvation? 2) Can salvation be attained solely through adherence to religious rituals and practices, or is faith a fundamental prerequisite? 3) Is it possible for someone to attain salvation without explicit faith in a religious doctrine or deity? AD USUM PRIVATUM. THIS IS LECTURE IS A PERSONAL PROPERTY OF PROF. BRIAN G. ROMASOC, MPM