THEOLOGY 4 Religion (according to the Summa Theologial)

P. FUENTES  RE LEGO/ RE-LEGERE

UNIT1 1: HARMONY WITH GOD: CALLED TO COMMUNION o “to read again”
SPIRITUALITY OF TRUTH o “to consider carefully”
Crisis of Relativism and a Spirituality of Truth  RE LIGARE
o “to bind again”
 Our situation today: a POST-TRUTH SOCIETY  RE ELIGERE
o authority is questioned or rejected o “to choose again”
o personal opinion/belief is exalted  Not a theological virtue but a moral virtue.
o “echo chambers” in social media  Religion is the virtue by which we pay due
o dialogue becomes impossible worship to God
o veracity replaced by popularity
o universal values are forgotten “Part of the confusion arises out of how we distinguish the
o there is no truth, or at least we have no term ‘spirituality’ from ‘religion’ in our language. Spirit
access to it only belief comes from the word ‘spiritus’ which means breath of
 Relativism in FAITH life. Spirit is the unseen force that breathes life into us,
o authority is questioned or rejected enlivens us gives energy to us. Spirit helps to define the
o personal opinion/belief is exalted true, real unique self that is us and confirms our
o “echo chambers” in social media individuality.” Moxley 2000 p. 23
o dialogue becomes impossible
o universal values are forgotten “Religion comes from the Latin ‘religio’ which has been
 Relativism in MORALS translated as reliance or connection Scott-Peck 1993 p.
o Logical consequence of relativism in 233) in Howard (2002) p. 232
faith In Spirituality, we find a notion of the Spirit in search for
o Denying existence of moral absolutes connection
o Moral judgment is equated with
moralism Boethius (475-535 AD)
o Relativism>indifferentism>loss of
morality  Boethius first complains about the loss of good
o Rule of power rather than of reason fortune (Book 1).
o Philosophy replies that it is the nature of
Three Theories of Truth: fortune to be fickle
o Moreover, the goodness of fortune are
 Correspondence Theory not true goods
o Narrowly understood as the view that  What then are goods? Philosophy begins to
truth is correspondence to, or with, a answers this question by examining five false
fact. goods.
o The label is usually applied much more o Everyone seeks happiness; a good so
broadly to any view explicitly complete it leaves nothing more to be
embracing the idea that truth consists in desired.
a relation to reality o Misguided people seek to attain
o Truth is what corresponds to facts happiness through wealth, public
 Coherence Theory office, kingship, celebrity, and pleasure.
o The theory is the belief that a Yet, these false goods do not even
proposition is true to the extent that it provide the partial happiness for the
agrees with other true propositions. sake of which people pursue them.
o According to some early versions of the
coherence theory, the coherence Spirituality Begins with Discontent
relation is simply consistency.
o A more plausible version of the What is Spirituality?
coherence theory states that the  Spirituality can be understood as that aspect of
coherence relation is some form of human existence which relates to structures of
entailment. significance that gives meaning and direction to
o Truth is what coheres with the rest of our a person’s life and helps them deal with the
knowledge vicissitudes of existence. It is associated with the
 Pragmatic Theory human quest for meaning, purpose, self-
o The theory is the belief that a transcending knowledge, meaningful
proposition is true when acting upon it relationships, love and a sense of the holy.
yields satisfactory practical results.  In general:
o Truth of a belief is determined by o It is the awareness that we have a soul,
evaluating how well the belief satisfies and acting accordingly.
the whole of human nature over a long  In Christianity:
period of time: how well does it WORK? o It is a life of growing friendship with Christ
o Truth is what works, or serves our leading us to holiness.
purposes
  In Catholicism: Augustine sees that desire is present in man. He
o The various ways by we live out our classifies them into three:
baptismal promises o Desire of the Flesh
o Desire for Wealth and Possessions
3 Movements of Spirituality o Desire for Power or Authority
 IDENTITY  St. Augustine proposes to follow the
o Inward movement commandments when he stated “It is our duty
o Who am I? to do the will of God because His will is our
o Rational/Conscious: INTELLIGENT AND deepest will too.” If we continue to rely on what
FREE God wants us to do, our lives will not perish, but
 DESTINY it will become joyous instead.
o Upward Movement  St. Augustine teaches the practice of the
o Why was I created? Evangelical Counsels as humanity follows the
o Created to KNOW, LOVE and SERVE command of God:
GOD in this life, and to BE HAPPY with o “Love the Lord your God with all your
Him forever in HEAVEN. heart and
 RELEVANCE  with all your soul and (Chastity)
o Outward Movement  with all your strength and
o How can I make a difference? (Poverty)
o Open and Relational: BY, WITH, FOR  with all you mind (Obedience)
OTHERS  Through the cultivation and practice of the
Evangelical Counsels, man is able to combat
Spirituality the desires present in him.
o Chastity
 Our morality is based on our spirituality: the  Desire of the Flesh
rightness or wrongness of how we understand o Poverty
our actions is based on what we value and how  Desire for Wealth or Possessions
we find meaning. o Obedience
What is the Aim of Spirituality?  Desire for Power or Authority

 In Spirituality, the goal is to become fully human ST. BENEDICT OF NURSIA

united with the divine.  Benedict is most interested in the question: “Do
 Understanding you truly seek God?” This is a universal human
 Perseverance quest and is central to the whole Benedictine
 Patience way of life.
Origen of Alexandria  The Rule of St. Benedict is direct and clear. It has
been adapted in every age by those who live
 Ultimate goal of human life – intimate and according to it. Benedict was sensitive to the
continual communion with God. The path to human condition as it really is. He understood
intimacy with God, then, is viewed by Origen as that real people are not all alike so you will find
the soul’s journey from earth to heaven. that all are not treated alike.
 Body – finding God through the five senses  Life’s little details mean much to Benedict. He is
 Soul – finding God through enlightened not interested in imposing some grand spiritual
knowledge scheme on the community, but rather in leading
 Spirit – finding God through perpetual ordinary people to heavenly heights.
communion with God
o The goal is to enter into union through Rule of St. Benedict
contemplation.  Seeking God
o The result is a life of pure love and active  The Common Good
charity.  Commitment
St. Augustine of Hippo  Mutual Sharing
 Hospitality
 Augustine explained that spirituality is an inquiry  Care of the Earth
into the supreme good, or the Summum Bonum  Peace
which gives the happiness that all human beings
seek. This happiness can be found in the Society
enjoyment of God and his presence.  Seeking Material Things
 Following the commandments is man’s  Individualism
expression of his desire to be in communion with  Non-Involvement
God. Living a moral life under the guidance of  Competition
God’s commandments is care for one’s  Rejection
spirituality.  Exploitation
 Man has a wounded nature which is the  Violence
outcome of original sin. Having this in mind,
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Jesus is to decide to enter into a relationship with
him and to live one’s life according to his
 Religion example and teachings. The objective truth of
o Not a theological virtue but a moral Christian Spirituality is Jesus, nothing else.
virtue.
o Religion is the virtue by which we pay Religion vs. Spirituality
due worship to God.
 Human beings, have a natural desire for God- a RELIGION SPIRITUALITY
It brings together people of
desire that is as natural as hunger or thirst, yet similar beliefs and often similar
It is personal and individual
journey
different in its object because its operation is in spirituality
the mind. Hence, it is not as easily satisfied as our Collective Individual
It does not require a distinctive
physical desires. It requires a distinctive format or
format or traditional
traditional organization
 Being rational, we constantly ask questions, organization
whether consciously or unconsciously. 
 Even a person who refuses to acknowledge WHAT IS THE PROBLEM OF FINDING THE TRUTH IN THE
God’s existence is not exempted from CONTEMPORARY WORLD?
confronting the “why” questions of life. 
 The Renaissance
 We are not satisfied with sensory knowledge. We
o Secular humanism, and the
want to know more. We search for answers to
differentiation between nature and
the difficult questions of origin and purpose.
grace, exalted human reason and
Authentic Catholic Spirituality experience (natural revelation) as the
measure of all things instead of God
 Sees RELIGION and SPIRITUALITY as intimately and special revelation. Human beings
linked rather than opposed to each other. RULES and, more specifically, human reason
and RELATIONSHIP go together. A relationship as well as nature were now seen as
without rules or parameters leads to contempt functioning apart from religion.
and abuse (e.g. 10 Commandments) o God became less of an omnipotent,
 Acknowledges that there are REVEALED WAYS omnipresent entity and spirituality was
by which we connect with GOD (e.g. practiced more from a human starting
Sacraments) point.
 Believes that SPIRITUALITY is not formed by o Christianity was nevertheless still
human experience alone but by conforming to influential. The vast majority of
a MANUAL – The Word of God. discoveries, inventions and
philosophical inquiries were still made
Spirituality of the Truth
within a Christian context and
 “If we don’t look for truth, we are guided by worldview. Copernicus, for example,
other interests, or fears, or the pressure of the saw his own theory of the earth
crowd, of the media, of power, of self-comfort, revolving around the sun as just a
and we are not free, we are slaves” specification of the created order
 Universal (Pearcey & Thaxton 1994:33)
o The same at all places and of all times  Enlightenment
 Objective o The period of the Enlightenment in the
o Discovered and not made, not what I 18th century gained much momentum
think or believe through French scholars such as Voltaire
 Transcultural and Rousseau.
o It is the same for all people o These men wanted to promote
freedom and equality for all people,
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this based on the idea that a person is
world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I actually good and only needs to learn
was made for another world. Probably earthly pleasures to use reason rightly, which she or he is
were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to able to do with proper education
suggest THE REAL THING.” -- C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity) (Rousseau 1921:5ff).
 Romanticism
True spirituality is anchored on THE TRUTH of WHO GOD IS.
o Romanticism started in the mid–18th
Veritatis Splendor, 2 century and lasted until about the mid–
19th century. It first gained momentum
 “The light of God's face shines in all its beauty on in Germany and was characterized by
the countenance of Jesus Christ.” an emphasis upon feelings and
 A Christian, therefore, is someone convinced experience, a focus on the self, a return
that Jesus is indeed who He claimed to be – the to nature, a new nationalism, and a
Son of God, our Savior and Lord. This conviction nostalgic return to old practices,
is more than just an intellectual ascent to Jesus’ religions, pantheism as well as
claims. One cannot be a believer of Jesus and mythologies (Wright 1996:141; cf.
remain neutral about him. To accept the truth of Jeeves & Berry 2000:24).
 o This was also the time when a strong We now live in a world governed by the DICTATORSHIP
historicism developed. A new historical OF RELATIVISM and submerged in a CRISIS OF TRUTH
consciousness became widespread
amongst intellectuals. Within this The Truth
mindset, the particular (seen in a  “If we don’t look for truth, we are guided by
historical context) became more other interests, or fears, or the pressure of the
important than the view of the universal crowd, of the media, of power, of self-comfort,
of the Enlightenment. The result was an and we are not free, we are slaves”
emphasis on the subjective (Wolters
1989:18; cf. Wright 2000:20). Relativism
 Modernism and onwards
o Hegel, who was influenced by  Relativism is the belief that there's no absolute
Romanticism, developed his idea of truth, only the truths that a particular individual
dialectical reasoning (synthesis). or culture happen to believe.
Previously people had thought in terms  If you believe in relativism, then you think
of either/or, thesis or antithesis. Hegel different people can have different views about
claimed that eternal truths do not exist what's moral and immoral.
and that different ideas are equally  All points of view are equally valid even if they
valid (Schaeffer 1990:232f; cf. Scott- are contradicting
Kakures et al. 1993:329f). With regard to  In a relativist society, there are no standards, no
the concept of spirituality, this would permanent moral values.
mean that different kinds of spiritualties o TRUTH is as fluid as the changing of an
can coexist. individual’s mind or preferences.
o Charles Darwin, who introduced the Crisis of Relativism
theory of evolution, made an important
contribution in this context. This resulted  “Today, having a clear faith based on the
in a movement away from the viability Creed of the Church is often labeled as
and rationality of religion, towards a fundamentalism. Whereas relativism, that is,
much more naturalistic, evolutionary letting oneself be ‘tossed here and there,
view. Life became secular (Wright carried about by every wind of doctrine’, seems
2000:47). the only attitude that can cope with modern
o In the area of psychology, there was a times.” (Missa Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice, 19
similar movement, in which Freud was April 2005)
the driving force (Glynn 1997:57ff).  “We are building a dictatorship of relativism that
Freud attempted to explain human does not recognize anything as definitive and
behavior entirely on a naturalistic and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one's own
deterministic basis, without invoking a ego and desires.” (Missa Pro Eligendo Romano
higher cause, that is, soul or spirit Pontifice, 19 April 2005)
(Schaeffer 1990:232). Freud criticized
religion as ‘the universal obsessional Relativism in Faith
neurosis of humanity’ (Freud 1927:30)
 “Jesus Christ is but one religious among others -
and thus had a very negative view of of the many models and ideal forms of the
religion (Wright 2000:29). Absolute”
 Modernism and onwards (Existentialism)  “God, who is too great to just be contained in
o Another philosophical movement one historical person as Jesus of Nazareth.”
which took place in reaction to the  Thus, to affirm Jesus as “the Truth, the Way and
Enlightenment was existentialism. The the Life” is FUNDAMENTALISM
existentialists believed that there is no  “CAFETERIA CATHOLICISM”
inherent meaning in life, and no intrinsic o One is free to just choose which of the
essential human nature. They claimed Church’s teachings they will accept as
that a uniquely defining characteristic true and follow, abandoning beliefs
of human existence was that existence and practices which do not suit their
comes before essence. Meaning has to taste or preferences.
be constructed by the individual. The
individual has to make choices and Relativism in Morals
define him- or herself (Sartre 1974:28; cf.
ScottKakures et al. 1993:359; cf.  The logical consequence of relativism in faith
Stevenson & Haberman 2004:176ff).  If all beliefs are true, then all actions are good
 Postmodernism  Unfortunately, this response of the Holy Father is
o One of the most basic tenets of often taken out of context and used as a
postmodernism is the assumption that propaganda statement by Catholics who wish
there is no absolute truth; it puts an end to defend moral slants that do not conform to
to all truth claims the official teaching of the Church.
  “While the Church insists on the existence of  Not to saturate with doctrines but to
objective moral norms which are VALID FOR concentrate in the proclamation of what their
EVERYONE…” situation necessitates, simple enough to be
 “…there are those in our culture who portray this understood by all without losing its depth and
teaching as UNJUST, that is, as opposed to basic richness
human rights.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 64)  Pope Francis
o Hence, communicating the truth today
Practical Relativism should not be by way of imposition but
 a form of moral relativism that is self-centered, by attraction.
self-indulgent and grounded on convenience  Pope Benedict XVI
and material security o In the words, it is through the via
 a lifestyle where one accumulates and hoards pulchritudinis – the way of beauty the
wealth and power at all costs others are brought more effectively to
 “…acting as if God did not exist, making the truth of Christ.
decisions as if the poor did not exist, setting goals Hierarchy of Truths
as if others did not exist, working as if people who
have not received the Gospel did not exist.”  Not all truths are of equal importance in relation
(Evangelii Gaudium, 80) to the salvation of humankind. Essential truths
are the foundational truths – the truths
Proclaiming the Truth from the Heart of the Gospel supernaturally revealed necessary for salvation
 Thomas Aquinas on Truth  Thus, those who proclaim the Christian faith to
o “Adæquatio rei et intellectus” or “Truth focus on the essential Gospel Message – on the
is the equation of mind and thing.” love of God expressed in Christ Jesus who died
(Summa Theologiae, I:21:2) and rose again (Evangelii Gaudium, 36) build a
o Morally Truthful solid foundation of faith that will later on address
 When a person’s thinking the “basic questions people have about life,
conforms to what he expresses death, suffering, justice, love and sin.”
with words or actions (Bushman, 2000)
 (Moral and Logical Truth) SPIRITUALITY OF TRUTH
expressions of what originally
was just an idea in the Great  Verifying the Truth (logical)
Mind that brought it forth to  Living out the Truth (moral)
existence – God  Actualizing the Truth of who I am, whose I am,
o Logically Truthful for whom I am (ontological)
 When a person’s thinking
conforms to what actually SPIRITUALITY OF MERCY
exists in reality and his
judgments are based on the Hedonism and the Throwaway Culture
same reality Hedonism
o Ontological Truth
 Insofar as they correspond to  “There is… a spirit of hedonism abroad today
how the Creator imagined which beguiles men into thinking that life is
them even before they were nothing more than the quest for pleasure and the
made satisfaction of human passions,” – Mater et
 Became incarnate in the Magistra 235
person of JESUS CHRIST  Greek “Hedone” – pleasure
 “For in him were created all  The doctrine that pleasure (sensual pleasure) is
things in heaven and on earth, the ultimate goal of life, man’s highest good &
the visible and the invisible, greatest happiness
whether thrones or dominions  Devotion to pleasure and self-gratification as a
or principalities or powers; all way of life
things were created through  This philosophy is more often promoted through
him and for him. He is before all advertisements
things, and in him all things hold  “I am here for one purpose: to get as much out
together.” (Colossians 1:16-17) of life as I can. Pain and suffering are evils that
must be avoided at all costs. The main thing in
A Missionary Key life is to always feel good.”
 The ultimate purpose behind the transmission of o To avoid any forms of suffering in life.
this truth is SALVATION (MATTHEW 28:29) Even the legitimate & heroic suffering. A
hedonist wants to have a pleasurable
For the truth to be conveyed effectively (EG 35): life.

 A genuine love for the audience, learn their Hedonism & the Human Person
language, be immersed in their realities.
  “This attitude is disastrous. Its evil effects on soul Negative Effects of Consumerism:
and body are undeniable.” –Mater et Magistra
235  On Society: GLOBAL INEQUALITY
o Spending on what is not necessary has
HEDONISM, the Human Person, & the Environment made the rich richer and the poor,
poorer.
 “…it is also necessary to reject the… total  On Individuals: OBESITY
technical dominion over nature, because the o Having a mentality of buying what I can
natural environment is more than raw material over buying only what I need
to be manipulated at our pleasure ……”  On the Environment: POLLUTION AND RESOURCE
 “Today much harm is done to development DEPLETION
precisely as a result of these distorted notions.” - o Being unmindful that natural resources
Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate 48 are finite, and producing much waste,
 This invites contemporary society to a serious far more than what nature can handle.
review of its life style, which, in many parts of the
world, is prone to hedonism and consumerism, Throwaway Culture
regardless of their harmful consequences -
Caritas in Veritate 51  We have created a “throwaway” culture which
 "If an appreciation of the value of the human is now spreading -Pope Francis, Evangelii
person and of human life is lacking, we will also Gaudium 53
lose interest in others and in the earth itself“-  “throwaway culture” that ruthlessly consumes,
1990 World Day of Peace Message, Pope John exploits, and discards human life and our natural
Paul II resources as one of the root causes.
 “The way humanity treats the environment Throwaway Culture & Environmental Degradation
influences the way it treats itself, and vice
versa.” - Caritas in Veritate 51  “We live in a world where everything is seen as
 Reducing nature merely to a collection of disposable, replaceable or temporary, and
contingent data ends up doing violence to the overflowing landfills aren’t the only obvious
environment and even encouraging activity signs.”
that fails to respect human nature itself. - Caritas  There are also “broken relationships, forgotten
in Veritate 48 people, abandoned beliefs and dilapidated
 Our nature, constituted not only by matter but dreams to find the far reaching effects of the
also by spirit, and as such, endowed with throwaway mentality.”
transcendent meaning and aspirations, is also
normative for culture. Human beings interpret Consumerism, Wasteful Consumption, Throwaway
and shape the natural environment through mentality
culture, which in turn is given direction by the  “quickly reduces things to rubbish.” -Pope
responsible use of freedom, in accordance with Francis, Laudato Si’ 22
the dictates of the moral law. - Caritas in  The earth, our home, is beginning to look more
Veritate 48 and more like an immense pile of filth. In many
 We recognize that: “Even on the natural level parts of the planet, the elderly lament that once
temperance and simplicity of life are the beautiful landscapes are now covered with
dictates of sound policy. - Mater et Magistra 235 rubbish - Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ 21
Egoism Indicators of a Throw-Away Culture
 Self-interest is the foundation of morality  wasting of our resources fueled by consumerism
 A moral theory that contends all choices either and the market economy,
involve or should involve self-promotion as their  the practice of contraception and abortion,
sole objective.  abandonment of the elderly and the
 Ethical egoists believe that people should not handicapped,
be their brother’s keeper, because people do  exclusion of the poor, exploitation of the weak,
not completely understand the true needs of and
others.  discarding of genuine relationships, of married
 It’s every man for himself in this world love and marriage vows.
 Denies that we can be motivated by a concern
for others Throwaway Culture
 This theory claims that everyone always acts to
his or her own advantage and that the only  Putting to waste things that could otherwise be
reason why a person performs morally good reused for another purpose
action is because it serves his or her own  People who are deemed “useless” are
interests. excluded or “thrown-away”
 Antidote” MERCY
Consumerism is the equation of personal happiness with  RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION
the purchase of material possessions and consumption
 o we have to protect God’s gifts so that MERCY
future generations may continue to
enjoy them  is the greatest "relative" characteristic of GOD.
 CULTURE OF SOLIDARITY  With relation to all that exists in creation, mercy
o everyone is brother/ sister no one is is the greatest divine attribute. - St. Thomas
disposable Aquinas
 CULTURE OF ENCOUNTER  Does not need anything: Absolute, Perfect, Self-
o active concern for the poor, the weak existent; with no one above him and everyone
and the vulnerable beneath him.
 JESUS is the FACE of the FATHER’s MERCY. - Pope  He does us so much good even when he has
Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, April 11, 2015 zero need for us. This is God’s MERCY.

What is Mercy according to the Bible? MERCY according to AQUINAS (ST II II.30.1)

 Latin: “Misericordia”  St. Thomas says, human mercy is grounded in a

o “Misereri – to pity defect " in our nature: the defect of human
o “cor” – heart vulnerability to suffering
o Having compassion on someonw with  According to St. Thomas, the Latin word
all one’s heartl the very inmost depth (or “misericordia" literally means having a miserable
core) of one’s being.” heart for another person's misery.
 Old Testament:  “The compassion in our hearts for another
o Hebrew: “CHESED” person's misery, a compassion which drives us to
 Lovingkindness, steadfast do what we can to help him
loyalty, unfailing love despite 3 Kinds of Human Misery
unfaithfulness of beloved
o “RACHAMIM”  Suffering that goes against our natural appetite
 Pity, compassion, to forgive for existence and life
when one has all the right to be  Suffering that strikes us suddenly and
angry unexpectedly
 New Testament:  Suffering that strikes a person when he
o Greek: “ELEEOS” consistently pursues the good, yet he meets only
 Combined the concept of overpowering evil
“Chesed and “Rachamim” o The undeserved suffering of the
o “SPLANKA” innocent and the virtuous is worst kind of
 Denotes feelings from the misery according to Aquinas.
inmost core of a person: a
warm feeling from the heart or 2 Aspects:
a discomfort in the “guts”  Affective Mercy
(Pagbaliktad ng sikmura) o An emotion: the pity we feel for the
The opposite of MERCY is INDIFFERENCE plight of another
 Effective Mercy
Sin of Commission Vs Sin of Omission o Something that we do, a positive action
for the good of another, taking steps to
 We’re not murderers or thieves or adulterous. relieve the miseries or meet the needs of
They were merely UNMERCIFUL. others
FOUR OBSTACLES TO BEING MERCIFUL 2 Characteristics:
 SELF CENTEREDNESS  ROOTED IN RIGHT REASON
o Being absorbed in our own issues. o the truth about the sufferings of others,
o “What’s in it for ME?” and what is in fact the objective "good"
 SELF PITY for the other whom we seek to help
o Preoccupation with our own perceived  PROVEN IN EFFECTIVE ACTION
suffering o helping and not merely sympathizing
o “If they think they have problems, well, I
have problems too.” “Since man, therefore, has God above him, charity
 PRIDE which unites him to God is greater than mercy, which
o Thinking we are privileged because we relieves the wants of others" (II II.30.4). On the other hand,
are holier when we consider which of the virtues should govern our
o “They probably deserve their sufferings relationships with other human beings, then it is clear that
because of their evil deeds.” mercy directed to our neighbors in need is the supreme
 SELFISHNESS virtue in man (II II.30.4).
o Wanting to keep all we have for
ourselves Towards Contemplation
o “I worked hard for it, it’s all mine.”
  “For God so loved the world He gave us His Only unique, irreplaceable, and must never be used
Son…” Jn 3:16 as a means to an end.
 “Creation groans to be saved” cf. Romans 8:21  However, when taken to the extreme, it
22 also Cf Romans 8:18 21 becomes selfishness and leads to isolation
 the intrinsic dignity of the world (LS § 115),
 the intrinsic value of (non-human creatures) (LS Traits of Individualistic Cultures
§ 69, 140), kinship (LS § 92)  Uniqueness
 that everything is connected ((LS § 70,  Autonomy
79,117,120)  Independence
 "as part of the universe, called into being by one  Self-Sufficiency
Father, all of us are linked by unseen bonds..." (LS
§ 89) Individualism Collectivism
Everyone is supposed People are born into
 The divine Persons are subsistent relations, and to take care of him – extended families or
the world, created according to the divine Care Giving or herself and his or clans which protect
model, is a web of relationships. Creatures tend her immediate family them in exchange for
only loyalty
towards God, (LS 240) Speaking one’s mind Harmony should
Communication
 It also entails a loving awareness that we are not is healthy always be maintained
disconnected from the rest of creatures, but Consciousness “I” – consciousness “We” – consciousness
Purpose of education
joined in a splendid universal communion. As Education is learning how to
Purpose of education
is learning how to do
believers, we do not look at the world from learn
without but from within, conscious of the bonds Group Identity Right to Privacy Stress on belonging
Languages in which
with which the Father has linked us to all beings. Language the word “I” is
Languages in which
the word “I” is avoided
(LS § 220) indispensable
 "The ultimate purpose of other creatures is not to Personal opinion Opinions and votes
Opinion expected: one predetermined by in-
be found in us. Rather, all creatures are moving person one vote group
forward with us & through us towards a common Others
Others classified as Others classified as in-
individuals group or out-group
point of arrival, which is God. Human beings,
Task prevails over Relationship prevails
endowed with intelligence and love, and drawn Task Orientation
relationship over task
by the fullness of Christ, are called to lead all Transgression
Transgression of norms Transgression of norms
leads to guilt feelings leads to share feelings
creatures back to their Creator." (LS § 83)

Sawà vs. Awâ (LR Ocampo) CRISIS OF INDIVIDUALISM TODAY:

 Throw- Away Culture (Sawà)  Being dependent upon others is often

o Objectification considered shameful or embarrassing
o Consumption  People tend to be self-reliant
o Maximization  The rights of individuals tend to take a higher
o Disposal precedence
 Culture of Mercy (Awâ)  People often place a greater emphasis on
o Contemplation standing out and being unique than on being
o Compassion part of a whole
o Care  Leads to disregard of Common Good
o Communion  Prevents human beings from developing a
sense of mission and heroism
Living “The Primacy of Mercy” (MV 17, MetM 1)  All others are rivals
 “Culture of care” as antidote to the double The Dignity of the Human Person
degradation brought about by the throwaway
culture (EG 193, LS 231, AL 191)  Individuals have an inherent and immeasurable
 Laudato Si’ mentioned the word “care” 35 worth and dignity
times, while “stewardship” only twice. The  All are fundamentally equal before God same
subtitle of Laudato Si is in fact on “care for our origin, same destiny, redeemed by Christ, called
common home”. From “stewardship” we notice to respond to a vocation
a shift to “care”. Hence, there is a shift from duty  All are radically equal before God leads us to
based ethics to a virtue based ethics of “care.” think no less of somebody because they are
 PAKIALAM – MALASAKIT from a different place or culture, because they
believe something different to you, or because
SPIRITUALITY OF COMMUNION of their work or employment situation.

INDIVIDUALISM Common Good

 Individualism is the belief that the individual is  The common good is the complete
the primary unit of reality and the ultimate development of all the people of the world.
standard of value.  “the sum total of conditions of social living,
 Not necessarily a bad thing for it affirms the whereby persons are enabled more fully and
Christian doctrine that every human being is
 readily to achieve their own perfection.’ (Pope  First, by saving (“calling out”) the ISRAELITES from
John XXIII) Egypt and making them his chosen people.
 Not the greatest good for the greatest number”  Finally, by calling all men and women to
(Utilitarianism) but the care for greatest good of COMMUNION in the CHURCH of Jesus Christ.
ALL persons no one excluded.  The CHURCH is GOD’s instrument for gathering
 The principle of common good balances his scattered children, ergo for restoring
individual rights with one’s responsibilities for the COMMUNION.
welfare of society which in effect promotes and  Hebrew: “QAHAL”
protects the rights and dignity of others  Greek: “EKKLESIA”

Solidarity Communion in The Life of Christ

 A sense of responsibility on the part of everyone  The Church is the Bride of Christ
with regard to everyone. o “… one soldier thrust his lance into his
 A particular way of looking at the side, and immediately blood and water
interconnectedness of people living in different flowed out.” – John 19:32
parts of the world that is a feature of our o “Husbands, love your wives as Christ
contemporary human existence. loved the Church.” – Ephesians 5:25
 Not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow o “… the two shall become ONE FLESH” –
distress at the misfortunes of so many people, Genesis 2: 24
both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm  Vertical Communion: Communion with The Most
and persevering determination to commit Holy Trinity
oneself to the common good; that is to say, to  Horizontal Communion: Communion with All the
the good of all and of each individual, because Baptized
we are all really responsible for all o The members of the Church equally
share in:
Communion  The Divine Nature
 Koinonia (greek)  The Passion of Christ
o Fellowship, Joint Participation, Sharing,  The Same Faith
Contribution  The Same Spirit
 Communio (latin) Holy Spirit
o Sharing in common
 Ideal state of fellowship that should exist in the  Charisms
Christian Church o Special gifts of the Holy Spirit given to
individuals for the good of others,
Aspects of this communion: especially for the purpose of building
 Communion with GOD the Church; gifts that draw us to
 Communion among BELIEVERS Communion
 Communion in the BODY and BLOOD of CHRIST  Vivifies the Church – The indwelling presence of
 Communion of SAINTS God
 Communion of CHURCHES  Unifies the Church – Unity in Diversity, Many Parts
Working as One
GOD is a COMMUNION OF PERSONS  Moves The Ministries of the Church – Variety of
Gifts
 For GOD to be GOOD, GOD can be One. For
GOD to be LOVE, GOD has to be Two. For GOD Holy Communion
to be JOY GOD has to be Three. - Richard of St.
Victor  The act of reception of the Sacrament of the
Holy Eucharist
HUMAN BEINGS are the IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD  Sacrament
o Visible Sign
 From the onset, God willed human beings to live o Sacrament of our Union with Christ
in COMMUNION with Him and with one another. o Sacrament of our Unity with the whole
 Man became the "image and likeness" of God Church
not only through his own humanity, but also  Holy Communion in the Catholic Church cannot
through the communion of persons which man be administered to those who are:
and woman form right from the beginning. Man o Not baptized
becomes the image of God not so much in the o Not Catholics
moment of solitude as in the moment of o Not in state of grace (those in state of
communion. - Pope St. John Paul II mortal sin)
SIN destroyed COMMUNION and led to ALIENATION.  At all times, in all places, there is only One Bread,
One Cup
God’s Plan of Salvation: To Gather His Children Scattered
by Sin The Church is the Community of the Faithful

 Professing the true Christian faith

  Participating in the same Sacraments Other Christian Churches
 Under the government of legitimate pastors
 Especially the one vicar of Christ on earth, the  Churches presided over by a validly ordained
Roman Pontiff. bishop, but are not in communion with the
Bishop of Rome
The Church is a Communion in these Holy Things:  Are TRUE CHURCHES "Because these Churches,
although separated, have true sacraments and
 Teachings of the Apostles above all because of the apostolic succession
 Sacraments the priesthood and the Eucharist, by means of
 Hierarchical Order which they remain linked to us by very close
Church Triumphant bonds"

 Communion in HOLY THINGS Dominus Iesus

 Communion of HOLY PERSONS  "These Churches which, while not existing in
 The CHURCH is the COMMUNION of SAINTS perfect communion with the Catholic Church,
The Church of Christ remain united to her by means of the closest
bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a
 The Catholic Church valid Eucharist, and are true particular
 The Separated Particular Churches Churches."
 The Ecclesial Communities  "Therefore, these separated Churches and
communities as such...have by no means been
The Catholic Church deprived of significance and importance in the
 Founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ, c. 33 AD and mystery of salvation. For the spirit of Christ has
began its operations in Jerusalem after not refrained from using them as means of
Pentecost salvation which derive their efficacy from the
 During the Apostolic era, it was simply referred very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the
to as “the Church” Catholic Church."
 Later on described as “Catholic” (universal) to Ecclesial Communities
mean “the Church that is everywhere” in
contrast to splinter groups and sects. (St. Ignatius  Christian Communities that function “like
c.107, St. Polycarp d. Churches” but lack valid
 Most of these were born out of the sixteenth
Communion with the Roman Pontiff century Reformation movement.
 The Catholic Church is a Communion of  According to Catholic doctrine, these
Particular Churches Communities do not enjoy apostolic succession
 The Bishop of Rome Presides in Charity Over the in the sacrament of Orders, and are, therefore,
Universal Church. He is the Chief Bridge Builder! deprived of a constitutive element of the
 The Pope is the perpetual and visible source and Church. These ecclesial Communities which,
foundation of the unity both of the bishops and specifically because of the absence of the
of the whole company of the faithful. He has full, sacramental priesthood, have not preserved
supreme, and universal power over the whole the genuine and integral substance of the
Church. Cf. CCC 882 Eucharistic Mystery, cannot, according to
 During the time of the early Church, the Bishop Catholic doctrine, be called "Churches" in the
of Rome acted as arbiter settling contentious proper sense (Dominus Iesus 17:2)
issues in the Church. The Catholics and Christians Belonging to Other Christian
 Every bishop in the Catholic Church must be Tradition
approved by the pope and receive a papal
mandate before being ordained to the  Christians belonging to other Christian traditions
episcopacy, and it is the pope who confers on are those who, though not formally members of
that bishop the authority to govern the diocese the Catholic Church, have received valid
to which he has been appointed. baptism.
 Papal infallibility means that the Pope cannot  The Church solemnly acknowledges that the
make errors when making an ex cathedra Holy Spirit is truly active in the churches and
statement on faith and morals or when he communities separated from itself. To these
proposes a teaching united with all the bishops other Christian Churches, the Catholic Church is
of the world. bound in many ways: through reverence for
 The college or body of bishops has no authority God's word in the Scriptures; through the fact of
unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter’s baptism; through other sacraments which they
successor, as its head. As such, this college has recognize.
supreme and full authority over the universal  All those separated from the Catholic Church
Church; but this power cannot be exercised remain part of her, in a mysterious way. All those
without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff. who receive Christian baptism belong to the
CCC 883 Catholic Church!
  Our Trinitarian God made us in his image as because of poverty and of violence such as
community, for community. The Church is called wars. These forced migrants are called refugees.
to build community in the world.
I. Culture as a Way of Life
DIALOGUE WITH CULTURE
CULTURE
Globalization that results “to an accelerated
development through space and time” compresses  Latin verb colere such as inhabit, cultivate,
time, space and consciousness of peoples from different protect, honor with worship. (Agcaracar P35)
parts of the world.  “Culture is conceived as the way of life of a
social group, not of an individual as such. It is the
“The dialogue of salvation was opened spontaneously way a society copes with its physical, social, and
on the initiative of God: "He (God) loved us first;" it will be ideational environment. In other words, culture
up to us to take the initiative in extending to men this is a society’s regularized or standardized design
same dialogue, without waiting to be summoned to it.” for living.” (Luzbetak 1970: 111)
(ES no. 72)  The process by which culture is passed on and is
learned is called enculturation which is “a very
The Catholic Church’s document “Dialogue and long process of growing into the culture to which
Proclamation” defines what dialogue is all about. It he or she belongs” (Standaert p11).
states:  Beliefs, experiences, principles, values and
 Firstly, at the purely human level, it means memories are shared as a result of common
reciprocal communication, leading to a enculturation.
common goal or, at a deeper level, to  The way we eat, sleep, speak, think are some of
interpersonal communion. the ways in which we can trace the existence of
 Secondly, dialogue can be taken as an attitude culture. Culture, therefore is a particular group
of respect and friendship, which permeates or of people’s way of life. “The ways or patterns of
should permeate all those activities constituting life, acquired by learning which characterize a
the evangelizing mission of the Church. This can human community.” (Standaert)
appropriately be called "the spirit of dialogue”.  Culture is “a partially conscious and partially
unconscious learning experience whereby the
Where there is no dialogue, misunderstanding, conflict older generation invited, induces, and compels
and violence takes place… the younger generation to adopt traditional
ways of thinking and behaving. Enculturation is
 Dialogue is recognized as part of the primarily based on the control that the older
comprehensive evangelizing mission of the generation exercises over the means of
Church. It is characterized by reciprocity and rewarding and punishing children.” (Harris)
mutuality between dialogue partners who are
different from each other. Culture can be discerned in various levels this is
 In the praxis of mission in the contemporary according to Standaert:
times, openness and respect are the desired
dispositions.  First it is through action, such as clothing, or
 Dialogue may lead us towards achieving means of transport.
harmony.  Second, is symbol, such as their myth, rites of
passage at birth, puberty, marriage, birth,
“The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature, greeting each other. Part of symbol is language
since it is from the mission of the Son and the mission of which is elementary to culture that when
the Holy Spirit that she draws her origin, in accordance another language is present, another culture is
with the decree of God the Father.” (AG 2). present.
 The third level is and characteristic of culture is
Asia/Philippines: Melting Pot of Different Cultures that it is always changing. Cultures do evolve
 “International migrants come from all over the and this is due to Demographic development,
world and travel to all parts of the world. As a economic laws, climactic changes or human or
result, people from different cultures not only are technological progress.
in much closer contact today, oftentimes they  The last characteristic is that within a culture
are forced to live alongside each other.” there can be several subcultures.
(Antonio Pernia)
 In Asia, people live together alongside the II. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
diverse religions and cultures. In the Philippines  The Gospel must be inculturated in the people
just like other Asian countries, ethnic minorities and that Christ must find a home in the culture
and groups are ever present. of the people. If culture is a way of life one has
 The reality of mega-migration results to to be slow in one’s judgment because culture
multiculturality. Besides the pull factor such as mirrors the behaviour and belief system of a
work opportunity, other people migrate group of peoples or community.
because they are forced to (push factor)  “Ritual behaviors, religious institutions, and
sacred texts all find their wherewithal in the
bailiwick of culture.” (Stanley Skreslet P97)
  The Gospel, then, has to purify a culture while Mission of the future. It has been characterized
culture has to enrich the Gospel. There must be as the period of ‘inculturation’, though the
a mutual enrichment between the Gospel and better term would be ‘interculturation’, in order
culture between faith and culture. to express that the process of inculturation must
 “In order that they may be able to bear more be lived in partnership and mutuality. It seems
fruitful witness to Christ, let them be joined to that we are now living in the peak of this
those men by esteem and love; let them movement, the critical phase which demands
acknowledge themselves to be members of the from us a real decision for profound and
group of men among whom they live; let them courageous reform. P13
share in cultural and social life by the various  As mission and evangelization considers cultures
undertakings and enterprises of human living; let Paul VI has this to say “Evangelization loses much
them be familiar with their national and religious of its force and effectiveness if it does not take
traditions; let them gladly and reverently lay into consideration the actual people to whom it
bare the seeds of the Word which lie hidden is addresses, if it does not use their language,
among their fellows. (AG 11) their signs and symbols, if it does not answer the
questions they ask, and if it does not have an
III. Scriptures and the Church on Dialogue with impact on their concrete life.” EN 63
Culture V. Dialogue in a Multicultural World
 The world culture in the general sense refers to  “The Christian doctrine of creation maintains
all those things which go to the refining and two truths, that creation originates from God
developing of man’s diverse mental and and that creation is nevertheless other than
physical endowments. He strives to subdue the God.”
earth by his knowledge and his labor; he  This diversity, nonetheless, should be celebrated
humanizes social life both in the family and in the as God shows his generosity by entering into the
whole civic community through the different cultures. Cultures, other than Christian
improvement of customs and institutions; he culture, in themselves bear the ray of truth.
expresses through his works the great spiritual  The multiculturality of the world because of
experiences and aspirations of men throughout migration can be an avenue for greater space
the ages; he communicates and preserves for evangelization “a privileged locus of the new
them to be an inspiration for the progress of evangelization.” It is in the diversity that we can
many, even all mankind. (GS 53-62) have dialogue with different cultures.
 Human and world flourishing is the goal of
cultures. Thus, culture not only could cultivate DIALOGUE WITH RELIGION
but also can mediate the Christian faith to
others. Harmony with the Human Community: Dialogue with
 “Culture also includes religion as one of its Religion
elements. Religion is the animating principle of  Mega - Migration
culture. Culture is like a body, with religion as its  Multiculturality/Multirel Igiosity
soul.  Interreligious dialogue and proclamation,
 “The work of evangelization carried out by the though not on the same level, are both
church is a continuation of the incarnation, and, authentic elements of the Church's evangelizing
therefore, Christianity must assume whatever is mission. Both are legitimate and necessary. They
good in the different races and cultures is are intimately related, but not interchangeable
compatible with the essential message of the – Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue,
gospel” Dialogue and Proclamation, no. 77
 “The spirit sows the “seeds of the word” present
in various customs and cultures, preparing them Religious Pluralism vs Religious Relativism
for full maturity in Christ.” (RM 28)
 “In today’s world, the religious others are in our
IV. Inculturation and Interculturality midst, studying, living and working among us
 “The theological foundation of inculturation is and with us.”
the incarnation. The basic argument is that just  Religious pluralism is “a philosophical
as Jesus Christ, the Word of God, became perspective on the world that emphasizes
incarnate in a human culture, in the Jewish diversity rather than homogeneity, multiplicity
milieu, the gospel of Jesus Christ should be rather than unity, difference rather than
allowed to be inculturated (or incarnated) in the sameness.”
local culture or context (Matt 5:17; Acts 10:34).” Scriptures and Church’s Teaching on Interreligious
 Christianity is itself enriched upon entering new Dialogue
cultural phases and regions, acquiring surplus
meaning in loyalty and conformity to its tradition  Jesus commanded his apostles not to go to the
(Shorter P 13) Bishop Joseph Blomjous used the Samaritans but instead go to the lost sheep of
term interculturation in 1980 “The period of 1960- Israel (Mt. 105 6). However, there are instances
1980 can be considered as the main transition that Jesus was friendly to non-Jews.
period from the traditional Mission to the new
  He admired the faith of the centurion (Mt 8:10) attentive process of listening, the
and commended the faith of a Canaanite evangelizers become evangelized, and
woman (Mt. 15: 28). the evangelized become evangelizer.”
 The Good Samaritan’s act differs from that of  “Asians have many and diverse ways of life that
the priest and the levite (Lk. 10:29 37). have nurtured and sustained them for many
 A Samaritan returned and gave thanks from the millennia in the past and for many ages to
ten lepers who were healed (Lk. 17:11 19). The come. Asians have their own system of
Acts of the Apostles tells us the story of the meaning, including religion, the core of their
followers of The Way. way of life.” – Javier, Dialogue: Our Mission
 The Apostles are to witness for Christ from Today, 27
Jerusalem, Samaria until they the ends of the
earth (Acts 1:8). Harmony with the Human Community: Dialogue with the
 In St Paul’s speech to Athens (Acts 17:22-23) he Poor
announces the Unknown God whom they  Poverty remains the crucial challenge facing
worship without knowing and in the following the region. According to the World Bank, 783
verses he states that God is near to every people million extremely poor who live below the
and they are called God’s offspring (Acts 26 28). poverty line of US$1.9 (HK$15) a day, about 33%
 Religious plurality is therefore present not only in live in South Asia and 9% live in East Asia and the
Asia but all over the world. Pacific.
 People of other faiths must be respected and in  Poverty also includes the growing number of
no way must Christians be fixated on converting urban poor brought about by globalization,
them in their relationship with them (proselytism). urbanization, materialism and secularism to
Dialogue and Proclamation, 9 mention a few.

 In the context of religious plurality, dialogue STAGGERING STATISTICS

means "all positive and constructive  1 in every 5 children are UNDERWEIGHT.
interreligious relations with individuals and  2 in every 5 households have NO ELECTRICITY.
communities of other faiths which are directed  1 in every 10 households have NO TOILET.
at mutual understanding and enrichment", in  2 in every 5 households have NO ACCESS TO
obedience to truth and respect for freedom. SAFE WATER.
 It includes both witness and the exploration of  1 in every 8 children are OUT OF SCHOOL.
respective religious convictions. It is in this third  1 in every 20 children are CHILD LABORERS.
sense that the present document uses the term  1 in every 10 adults are UNEMPLOYED.
dialogue for one of the integral elements of the
Church's evangelizing mission. The Poor as Object of Evangelization to being Subject of
Evangelization: Church Teaching on Poverty.
Further, Dialogue and Proclamation no. 42 mentions the
different forms of dialogue.  The poor are not only recipients of the Good
News but they are also bearers of the Gospel”
1. The dialogue of life – People strive to live their life (CFC no. 1188)
in harmony and peace with their neighbors of  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he
other faiths sharing with each other as friends has anointed me to proclaim freedom for the
their joys and sorrows, hopes and dreams. prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to
2. The dialogue of action – When people of set the prisoners free, to proclaim the year Lord’s
different faiths work together to act and favor.” Further, Jesus mentions that “I must
collaborate for integral development and proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God
liberation of people. to the other town also because that is why I was
3. The dialogue of theological exchange – Those sent.” – Lk. 14: 43
who are specialists deepen each other’s  “Preferential option for the poor such as the
religious heritages, and appreciate each other’s migrants, indigenous and tribal people, women
religious values and children and the defense of human life,
4. The dialogue of religious – experience Persons health care, education, peace-making,
rooted in their own religious traditions, share their cancellation of debts, and protection of
spiritual riches such as prayer and environment.”
contemplation, faith and ways of searching for  “The modern paradigm of mission understands
God. salvation to include, beside forgiveness of sin
Dialogue in a Multi-Religious World and reconciliation with God, liberation from all
forms of socio political oppression and
 “Religious pluralism is an undeniable promotion of economic well-being.” – Phan, In
phenomenon of the twenty first century.” Our Tongues, 20.
o “It is first of all a search for and  “Mission must show redemption to be an option,
recognition of the presence and both historically and collectively and in the
activities of the Holy Spirit to be personal lives of individuals.”
evangelized, and in this humble and  EG #53
 o Human beings are themselves
considered consumer goods to be used
and then discarded. We have created
a “throw away” culture which is now
spreading. It is no longer simply about
exploitation and oppression, but
something new. Exclusion ultimately has
to do with what it means to be a part of
the society in which we live; those
excluded are no longer society’s
underside or its fringes or its
disenfranchised they are no longer
even a part of it. The excluded are not
the “exploited” but the outcast, the
“leftovers”.

The dignity of the human person is the very foundation of

a moral vision for society.

 For Paul VI Evangelization is integral liberation,

“For the Church, evangelizing means bringing
the Good News into all the strata of humanity,
and through its influence transforming humanity
from within and making it new: "Now I am
making the whole of creation new." EN 18

Dialogue with the Poor

 “Mission will mean a dialogue with Asia’s poor,

with its local cultures, and with religious
traditions.
 Our faith in Christ, who became poor and was
always close to the poor and the outcast, is the
basis of our concern for the integral
development of society’s most neglected
members.” Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium,
no. 186.
 The poor are dialogue partners in mission for
they are, like people of other faith and culture,
instruments of evangelization.

Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, no. 49

 The Church must move outside where the

people needs them the most and become, “a
church bruised, hurting and dirty because it has
been out on the streets, rather than a church
which is unhealthy from being confined and
from clinging to its own security.”