Catholic Teachings II

Catholic Teachings II:

Radicalism & Conservatism as applied to Theology:

1. “In an increasingly complex world of unprecedented scientific and technological challenges, theologians must communicate what is ‘essential’ (as in laws of Physics). “Proclaim the teachings in a new way” … Such a task is done not by changing the message, but by communicating the perennial message with “faithful creativity” to a world experiencing rapid transformations. There needs to be a theology that helps all Christians proclaim and show, most of all, the salvific face of God … Reimagine the church so that it may conform to the teachings that it must proclaim.”
2. “A faith that doesn’t make us grow is a faith that must grow; a faith that doesn’t question us is a faith that must be questioned.”
3. “The bold speech of the Church is that Christ is Lord, Christ is the king.”
4. “The Church is not a cage for the Holy Spirit, that the Holy Spirit also flies out and works outside.”

God, God on Earth:

1. “Our God is always the God of surprises. From the beginning of the history of salvation, God has surprised his people.”
2. (Easter) “Christ is risen, and with him he makes our hope and creativity rise, so that we can face our present problems in the knowledge that we are not alone.”

Spirit:

1. Lord blesses: “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 59:21)
2. “The Holy Spirit works in the hearts of non-believers and those of other religious confessions. The Holy Spirit is “universal, he is the spirit of God, who is for everyone.””

Challenges, issues of today’s world:

1. “We pray … that Jesus Christ will remind us all that he is the most powerful means to break the chains of hate that still bind too many hearts, a truth which lies at the center of Dr. King’s legacy.”
2. “Let us be attentive, to all situations of injustice and to new forms of exploitation.”
3. “You are urged to form movements and organizations aimed at overcoming the plagues of corruption and human trafficking.”
4. “God’s word can set right not only individuals but whole societies — if we would receive it.”
   • “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
5. “Peace is not just ending a war, but also building a country.”
6. “How harmful corruption is to our Latin American people! Corruption is preventable and calls for commitment from public entities, the private sector and civil society.”
7. “Access to clean, safe water and proper sanitation can help communities overcome poverty.”

Youth & Church:

1. “You are encouraged to study and to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to you. Do not curb your curiosity. Open your eyes to new things; bring the old and the new together in your own way.”
2. “God’s grace can help overcome young people’s fears & doubts, guide them so their gifts & talents can improve the world, help the church.”
3. “The Catholic Church wants to listen to young people … but young Catholics must be ready to listen to Jesus and discover where he wants to lead them.”
4. “Young people should embrace the challenge of building their nation.”

Living:

1. “Jesus wants us to be saints and not to settle for a bland and mediocre existence.”
2. “Each person, needs to embrace that unique plan that God willed for each of us from eternity.”

Happiness, Joy:

1. “Christian joy is usually accompanied by a sense of humor.”

Technology as work of God:

1. “God with his infinite creativity, will turn ideas that seem like science fiction and far-fetched into reality.”
2. “.. he has the ability to repair body by reshaping it.”
3. “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

The Arts & Spirit:

1. “We offer encouragement to those who use art, literature, craftsmanship and music to share their worldview and cultural richness with the world.”

Signs:

1. “May your tenderness awaken our sensitivity.”
2. “Jesus performs miracles.”
   • “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.“ (Joel 2:28-32)
3. “Christ gathers all the nations before him.”
4. “Leaders of nations embrace Christ’s teachings and guidance.”
5. “Jesus makes demands: he tells those who seek him to leave behind the armchair of worldly comforts and the reassuring warmth of hearth and home … We must leave our comfort zone to find Jesus.”

Ushering in Kingdom of God:

1. “.. to live with confidence that the Lord really will destroy sin and death, and that we will be able to live with Him in great joy. He knew that the definitive Kingdom that God is preparing is real and very much worth devoting one’s entire life to.”

World to come:

1. “In the grand future, God will make all things new. In a realm of eternal light, he will rule over everything. There will be profound peace. Nations shall walk by his light. Every nation on earth will adore him.”
2. “Christ will perform the most dramatic miracles.”
3. (“The messiah will be a great political leader. He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example. He will be a great military leader. He will be a great judge, who makes righteous decisions.”)
4. “His rule will be one of unprecedented peace and prosperity and he will be king over the entire world.”
5. “The laws of nature will change, so that predatory beasts will no longer seek prey and agriculture will bring forth supernatural abundance.”
6. “Christ is the ‘Supreme World Teacher’. Young as he is, he is a ‘Master’ among ‘Masters’. People of the world will lead life under his guidance.”
   • “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) 
7. “Death will be swallowed up forever.”
   • “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child.” (Isaiah 65:20)
8. “He will be a young king, a counselor. The government will be on his shoulders from a young age. Leaders of nations will look to him for guidance.”
9. “Theological truths will be equally obvious to mankind, and there will be no reason to argue about it.”
   • “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9)
10. “Christ will establish righteousness upon earth.”
11. “In the Kingdom of God, people will be more beautiful and holy. God has prepared us for the purpose of being clothed with our heavenly body.”
    • “We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.” (2 Corinthians 5:2)
    • “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing.” (Isaiah 35:5-6)
12. “The Lord will herald an age of abundance.”
13. “When we believe that Jesus rose from the dead, we declare the hope and joy that we, too, will.”
14. “In a myriad ways, according to your particular missions, bring something of heaven to earth.”

Rule over all nations:

1. “Christ will reform education system of nations. He will administer Catholic schools, colleges and universities.”
   • “…The convention was filled with workshops dealing with how to help students write more creatively or tackle math concepts, use modern technology safely and live their faith in the modern world.”
2. “Catholics have a duty to shape the political landscape.”
   • “Survey: just 26% of American adults said the Republican and Democratic parties are doing an adequate job representing the American people, while 71% said a third party is needed.”
3. (To Chilean youth) “The path forward, the dreams that have to be concrete, the always looking to the horizon has to be done with feet on the ground. It begins on the ground of the homeland. God calls you to love your homeland. You are asked to be catalysts for change in Chile.”

Challenges, issues of nations:

1. “Peace and progress start with education .. We ask the Spirit to guide the steps of everyone present, so that the university is able continue to bear fruit for the good of the people and for the glory of God.”
2. “Promote economic models that create the proper conditions for the human person to thrive.”
3. “Let us be attentive to the lack of steady employment, which destroys lives and homes.”
4. “The recurring financial instabilities have brought new problems and serious challenges that governments must confront.”

Future of Church:

1. “The Church is not alien to our problems and our lives, does not want to be aloof from our way of life and organization.”
2. “And you see the people from east to west entering into the religion of God in multitudes.”
   • “Christ shall convert billions of non-Christians to the religion of God. He will build Churches all around the globe.”
3. “Each culture and each worldview that receives Christ’s teachings enriches the Church by showing a new aspect of Christ’s face.”
4. “Prayer heals the sick, sanctifies work, elevates healthcare and gives moral strength.”