Posted on 12/13/2012 7:43:47 PM PST by Salvation
What are the sources or inspiration for these subjects?Basically they are inspired by the documents of the Holy See, and in particular by the Catechism of the Catholic Church and its Compendium. This was a deliberate choice so as to create an awareness of the vast richness, completeness and beauty of these documents which are, in some circles, hardly known at all. In this way, it is possible to present the essential and fundamental contents of the faith which are professed, not just by the individual Catholic, but by the Catholic Church throughout the world as it adheres to the Magisterium of the Pope and the bishops. It is this teaching that was willed by Christ himself in order to confirm the faith of individual believers, so that, through the centuries and in various different parts of the world, everyone should profess the one true Catholic and Apostolic Faith.
Why are the topics treated in this work presented in a dialogical way?From an editorial point of view, the arguments are presented in a dialogical manner, that is to say with questions, each of which is followed by a brief response. This dialogical format, while inviting us to continue reading, is born of and remains faithful to a constant and noble catechetical tradition in the history of the Church. It is well known that many catechisms responsible for the faith formation of entire generations used and in a very fruitful way this kind of pedagogical tool. It should not be forgotten that the same Christian faith, a special gift of God, can itself also be described as a continuous dialogue between God with man, and between man and God.
I am also convinced that this approach can help to meet the needs of the todays world, which certainly has an appetite for interviews of a journalistic type, let alone a taste for synthetic sound bites and catchphrases. This may be due in part to the fact that many people nowadays have little time and, even though they say they are Catholics, need to deepen their faith. This lack of time, unfortunately, often leads to religious ignorance, which in turn, results in a widespread relativism, an arbitrary subjectivism and, last but not least, an impressive reduction in mnemonic capacity regarding the contents of faith. This is not only the case in children and young people but also in adults, both in their catechetical journey and in their various and demanding activities and profession.
Why was the sub-title Fragments of Catholic Truth chosen?
The word Fragments was inserted as a sub-title in order to underline the fact that only some of the contents which form the rich and mysterious tapestry of the Catholic Faith, as well some of the challenges that grip the present world, were being presented in this volume. At the same time I would like to stress that, in dealing with each single topic, I do not intend to present all its aspects and contents. For this reason I do not wish due to a lack of space and time to give each subject a comprehensive and complete treatment but merely to offer some suggestions, fragments of reflections.
What is the purpose of this work?It is hoped that it may help people to know the beauty and the importance of the Christian faith that is offered to all in a better way by discussing certain of the issues that characterize our society at this point in time.
For this reason it is aimed at Christians in order to give them the opportunity to know and to deepen certain contents of their faith, and to every person who wishes to know what the Catholic Church, through some of her official documents, believes and lives, with the Lords help.
Rome, 8 April 2009
Anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood
The Primicerio
of the Basilica of Saints Ambrose and Charles in Rome
Monsignor Raffaello Martinelli
The Resurrection of Christ: Why is it the high point of the Christian Faith?
What is the importance of Christ's Resurrection?Christ's Resurrection is an extraordinary, unique, unrepeatable and singular event in human history. It forms the central event of Christianity, the very core of its preaching and its Christian witness from its beginning right up until the end of time. Easter is the principal feast and the most important of the annual celebrations. It is "the foundation and kernel of the whole liturgical year" (Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium, 106). Let us seek to illustrate synthetically the extraordinary importance of Christ's Resurrection, beginning with its historical aspects.
A) HISTORY OF THE RESURRECTION OF Christ
In what way can we say that Christ's Resurrection was a historical event?
What are the signs, the proofs that support the Resurrection of Christ?
What value can be attributed to the empty tomb? "The first element we encounter in the framework of the Easter events is the empty tomb. In itself it is not a direct proof of Resurrection; the absence of Christ's body from the tomb could be explained in other ways. Nonetheless the empty tomb was still an essential sign. Its discovery by the disciples was the first step toward recognising the very fact of the Resurrection. This was the case, first with the holy women, and then with Peter. The disciple «whom Jesus loved» affirmed that when he entered the empty tomb and discovered «the linen cloths lying there» (Jn 20,6), "he saw and believed". This suggests that he realized from the empty tomb's condition that the absence of Jesus' body could not have been of human doing and that Jesus had not simply returned to earthly life as had been the case with Lazarus" (CCC, 640).
What were the characteristics of the apparitions of the Risen Christ?
What value does the Apostles' testimony have?
B) THE IMPORTANCE OF Christ'S RESURRECTION
What was the importance of the Resurrection for Christ? Christ's Resurrection
What importance does Christ's resurrection have for us?
What is the relationship between Christ's Resurrection and the resurrection of our bodies?
The Primicerio
of the Basilica of Saints Ambrose and Charles, Rome
Monsignor Raffaello Martinelli
Advent series ping
It’s not the high point, it’s the only point.
Take that away and we’re just muslims.
How about we say “The High and ONLY point”??
It’s the ONLY point (I Cor 15:4). Everything else depends on it.
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