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Does it make sense to study the Catechism memory?

Every year when meetings become parents of children preparing for First Communion raises the same question, the result of a culture anti-memoirs. Even in some cases, pose a tone Inquisitor for what they are studying by heart the Catechism Questions? Almost like saying, do you still continue with these prehistoric methods of learning? Do not you learned that memory is now frowned upon and that their use has become passé?

To show the current memory and the Catechism, we could use the argument of authority and show how recent documents of the Magisterium of the Church refer to it (collect the two major texts on the subject at the end). But we preferred to explain in some detail his rationale.

A clarification: these pages are not intended to defend the memory by memory, but something very concrete: the centrality of the rote learning of the Catechism.
As it is rote learning, not just anything, but the Catechism, we must begin by explaining its meaning and importance.

What is a Catechism?

Parties consider the obvious usefulness of the summaries. Who wants to know the most important-what matters an issue, "find a good summary of what you need to know about the issue.
In the realm of faith, something similar happens. From the beginning, the time of the Apostles came Symbols of Faith: The list of basic truths that a Christian should believe. Symbol of the Apostles' Creed we pray at Mass on Sundays in Argentina is a list of the twelve fundamental articles of faith, is attributed to the Apostles themselves. There is the most basic low expression of our faith. The truth is that the summary is great: it is everything and nothing is missing, everything else could be referred to these twelve articles is amazing. And things much easier. Then one can go deeper and considering what they know about each of them and has a guide to improve your knowledge of the faith.
Admittedly, this basic list of faith is very useful.

A second step is to put faith in questions and answers. It's ancient. And look if it's practical for the computing world has also adopted as usual system. In all Internet sites to find a section on "Help" (Help) with tons of questions. They teach you to use programs to do things, etc., Based on questions and answers. They have sections like "FAQ" (frequently asked questions and answers) or "Top questions". You could say that those sections "Help" is a "catechism" of such or such other thing.
That's what has the Church ever since. Teaching the faith-based questions and answers. Questions are very specific. And he responds very precise.
So everyone has to reach, in summary fashion, specifically, the most basic contents of faith. So
and accurate summary, the Pope explains the purpose of the Compendium Catechism (he was one of his first acts magisterial, fulfilling a request of John Paul II that he had done):

The Digest, which I now present to the Universal Church, is a faithful and sure synthesis of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Contains, in concise form, all the essential and fundamental elements of the faith of the Church, so that is, as my Predecessor had wished, a kind of vade mecum, through which people, believers or not, may include a single glance of entire panorama of the Catholic faith.

Benedict XVI, Motu Proprio for approval and publication of Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (28/06/2005)

Other Shorter Catechisms, which presents in summary fashion the major mysteries of the Christian believes, prays, and lives which it feeds. The study of these catechisms in the preparation of First Communion and Confirmation is to regard this paper.

The meaning and the value of memory

Why memory? Because it is fundamental in the process of human knowledge.
What is memory? To "store" experience, knowledge, people ... Remember something is to make use of the "deposit" (Database) that we carry with us. Study-in-fund is to record data, facts, ideas ... And we talked of studying memory when the "recorded" verbatim in our mind.

Ignorance, ideas confused, vague, precise knowledge
Learning is a process that leads to knowing something.
one thing to have a vague idea of \u200b\u200bsomething and another to know it properly. Do not talk about being an expert, but I know with any precision, so basic, what it is. Sometimes
handle words that have a vague idea, but do not really know what they mean exactly what they mean, what is the scope. But if we ask we explained that we would put in a bind, because we could not do it. Some examples: "global warming", "ozone layer", "evolution", "atomic energy." These are things that "sound", of which you have a general super idea ... sometimes so confusing that it is not true.

knowledge. Know precisely. With the right words.

If you were to ask what is a refrigerator? Would fit responses to different levels, some more accurate than others. "One thing that serves to cool" (could also be the radiator of a car or air conditioning). "A kind of closet where it's cold." "A machine for storing items that need to be kept cold." What is a human being? "One thing up and hair on legs" Well, yes ... but it would be better to say that a "rational animal." It is quite clear and precise.
kids at schools often ask, "What I can say with my words?" (Meaning they do not know what exact words, they can express different ones). Should respond: of course yes, if they respond to reality. If your words mean something different ... not serve to explain why not explain anything ...
sciences use technical terms that are meaningful. For example in mathematics: number (not "top" could be the roof ...), denominator integral, polygon ... Each of these words means something very concrete and its use facilitates understanding, avoids confusion and lengthy explanations.
In the realm of faith is the same. We use technical terms that mean something very specific. Some examples are the words nature, person, sacraments chrism, transubstantiation, the real presence, infallibility, etc.
To think and to speak of Christian realities need of these words. And to use them, we must first learn them.

When it comes to learning that are mysteries of faith (which do not have access to the senses), the precision of terms and definitions is essential.

Christians need to know well our faith to live. Understand what we believe, what good are the things that we pray, we do, practice, etc. Otherwise our religious life would be a ritualism devoid of content.
We reached a vague idea of \u200b\u200bwho is Jesus Christ, what are the sacraments, heaven or purgatory. The vague ideas easily distorted, because they lack precision. By the very fact of being generic, as soon as is practical, or it is done carefully, can be finished in statements that are not true.
it is necessary to outline, outline, clearly define the different realities.
dogmas, for example, do this: define a mystery of faith as expressed in words precise and concise. A different word would not facilitate the understanding but instead it will darken. Poor confused words.
not try to learn formulas by heart without understanding what it is as if it were magic words, but to know the supernatural realities they define. The dogmas of faith are needed, a small difference of words with ease would be a mistake (Because they express a different reality). Thus, it is the same as saying that the Blessed Trinity is one true God "in three distinct persons," which means "with three distinct persons" (as if "formed" by the sum of three). And who made the sign of the cross "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" would be pantheistic (would worship three gods ...).
When you forget what you know by heart, the idea of \u200b\u200bthe matter remains
But if we only had an idea of \u200b\u200bthe matter is forgotten, forgot all

or may not know, that is the question

Ultimately it comes down to the following question: I know what it is or not I know? "I understand but I can not explain it" means I have a vague idea of \u200b\u200bthe case, that "sounds" but do not know. Leading to levels of caricature to exemplify the issue, we can say that the Eucharist is not "a thing that eats at Mass," but "a sacrament that has really, truly and substantially the body, blood, soul and divinity "Jesus. The Mass is not a meeting to pray, but the "bloodless renewal of the sacrifice of Calvary."
For the central aspects of our faith we have the help of short and precise formulas Catechisms. Those who did made up in order to learn from memory, hence to facilitate the short and make certain rhyme.
If you ask what is a sacrament, no need to think about: a "sensible and effective sign of grace instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ to sanctify" (what I learned for my first Communion!). Then I have to explain what that definition, but the basic idea is there expressed.
We are keen to know the main facts of the faith. And to know what the Mass, what are the Angels, etc. I have not that develop large and complex explanations, because I have a simple formula, specific and accurate that I taught the Catechism. It is easy to realize that when you do not know the definition of the Catechism, it is much harder to express those mysteries.
memory is not everything. It is a starting point. Firm ground upon which to build knowledge of the faith. There is a machine learning words in a recording. Of course, so you can talk about knowledge have to understand, to the extent permitted by the mystery-the meaning of words.

By their fruits (Mt 7:16)

Finally, for verify the need for memory in learning the Catechism we can use recent experience and considering the bitter fruit that has produced its abandonment (of both the Catechism and memory), the generalization of a catechesis that despises Report " able "than their intended beneficiaries end up with a great ignorance of Catholic doctrine. That is, without memory, the result has been the religious ignorance.

Texts from the Holy See on memory in learning the Catechism

John Paul II in Ex.Ap. Catechesis tradendae (16/10/1979), No. 55 (the title of "memory" belongs to the document underlines is ours):

Saving
The last methodological issue that should at least emphasize, more than once alluded to her in the Synod is memorizing. The beginnings of Christian catechesis, which coincided with a civilization essentially oral, very widely resorted to memorization. And the catechesis has known a long tradition of learning by memory of the main truths. We all know that this method can present certain disadvantages: it is not the least of which lend themselves to poor assimilation, sometimes almost zero, reducing all knowledge to formulas that are repeated without draft in them. These drawbacks, together with the various characteristics of our civilization, have been here or there to the almost total elimination-final, unfortunately, according to some of memorization in catechesis. And yet, during the Fourth General Assembly of the Synod, have been authorized to hear voices very wisely rebalance the reflection and spontaneity, dialogue and silence, writing assignments and memory . Moreover, certain cultures have a great appreciation of memorization. Why, while secular education in some countries increasing criticism raised against the appalling number of consequences that follow from the contempt of that human right is the memory, why not try to revalue in catechesis smart and original even more so as the conclusion or "memory" of the great events of salvation history requires having an accurate knowledge? Some memorize the words of Jesus, of important Bible passages, the Ten Commandments, the formula of profession of faith, liturgical texts, some essential prayers, of key concepts of the doctrine ... Far from being contrary the dignity of young Christians, or constituting an obstacle to personal dialogue with the Lord, is a real need, as has been forcefully reminded the Synod Fathers.
have to be realistic. These flowers, as it were, of faith and piety do not grow in the desert places of a catechism memory. It is essential that these are stored EXTS and gradually understood in depth, to be a source of personal and communal Christian life. The plurality of methods in contemporary catechesis can be a sign of vitality and ingenuity. In any case, the method chosen should relate in the end to a fundamental law for the entire life of the Church's faithfulness to God and fidelity to man in an attitude of love.

From Introduction of the Compendium (whose questions are quite long and is not intended primarily for storage, but to be the basis for the development of shorter catechisms that can be studied):

A second feature of the Compendium is its dialogical , reflecting the ancient genre catechetical questions and answers. This is again proposing a dialogue between master and disciple, through a series of incisive questions, which involve the reader, inviting him to continue in the discovery of ever new aspects of the truth of their faith.
This genus also helps to shorten the text considerably, reducing to the essential, and thus favoring eventual assimilation and memorization of content.

Joseph Ratzinger, Introduction to the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (03/20/1905), No. 4.

In conclusion
just wanted to highlight the importance of two fundamental texts for a Catholic.

If you ask me what are the three most important books for a Catholic, should not miss on any home and we should all read and reread often do not need to think about the answer. The first is absolute: the Holy Scripture. Containing the word of God, its importance is beyond doubt and is the staple food of our souls.

For the other two, would you say are the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium of it.
After Vatican II was felt the lack of a Universal Catechism, containing the same faith as always, expressed in current mode, according to modern needs, and that would reflect the teachings of the Council. It's what the bishops asked Pope John Paul II at the Synod meeting
occasion of the commemoration of the 20 th anniversary of the closing of Vatican II. For almost five hundred years since he published a universal Catechism (the former was made by St. Pius V in the sixteenth century). Thus wrote the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1992. The idea is to serve as a basis and guide for the preparation of catechisms regional, national, etc.
The great utility and dissemination of the Catechism raised the practical need to have a summary. Then John Paul II commissioned a committee chaired by the Card. Ratzinger processing. And was he himself turned Benedict XVI, who passed two months after being elected pope, delivering the Church
this synthesis of faith. For this is as recommended reading to keep fresh the memory of the faith, how to query and as inspiration for meditation of the chief mysteries of our faith. Eduardo María Volpacchio


04/20/2007

Prayer Before Thesis Defense

Where does religion?

Man is an intelligent being, and therefore raises the ultimate explanation of all things and the meaning of life.

Deep down, he realizes that he is not, nor can it be, the maximum being in perfection (I'm not God!) And he does not explain its existence (my own existence can not be explained by myself), or your life (I am and how I am not due to my decision).
also experience an irresistible force to happiness, and make sure that nothing or no one can meet in this world.

All this makes it a religious being.

Find someone bigger, fuller, more perfect ... and when it is recognized as the supreme being, who alone can bring happiness to the given account has been created, and longs with all his being. And so it is open to Him

Now what is all this a mere invention intended to satisfy desires of grandeur and dreams of human happiness?

Is it reasonable to be a believer? Let's start

planning to fund alternative, God or chance, or divine logic of irrationality, the divine causality (an intelligent cause) or arbitrary chance. Here lies everything. This is explained Benedict
XVI in Regensburg:

"We believe in God. This is our fundamental option. But we ask again: Is this still possible today? Is it reasonable? Since the Enlightenment, at least part of science is dedicated to aggressively seek an explanation of the world in which God would be superfluous. And if that were so, he would be useless for our life also. But every time it seemed that this attempt had succeeded, it was evident that inevitably do not add up. The accounts about the man, not God, do not add up, and the accounts of the world, the universe, without it not add up. In short, there are two alternatives: What is at the origin? Creative Reason, the Creator Spirit who makes all things and gives them growth, or Unreason, which, lacking any meaning, yet somehow brings forth a mathematician so ordered cosmos, as man and his reason. This, however, not be more than a chance result of evolution and, therefore, at bottom, also irrational.
Christians say: "I believe in God, Creator of heaven and earth", I believe in the Creator Spirit. We believe that the origin is the Eternal Word, Reason and not Unreason. With this faith we do not have to hide, should not be afraid of ending up in a dead end. We are happy to know God. And try to see also other rationality of faith, like St. Peter exhorted explicitly, in his first letter (cf. 1 Pt 3, 15), the Christians of his time, and us.
believe in God. The main parties say the Creed and emphasizes especially the first part. But now the second question immediately arises: what God? Well, just believe in the God who is Creator Spirit, creative Reason, the source of everything that exists, including us. " (Homily at Regensburg, 12.09.2006).

Finding God involves finding the source itself, and therefore the ratio of own existence.

What is religion?

Every religion is a concrete way to reach God: an access road to the divine, the Creator of the universe (and ourselves).
All of them involve a concept of God and the world, which are few ways of relating to them, to worship (Worship) and living (a moral).

Basically this consists of all religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc.

In general, one could say that there are two ways to consider religion:

1. Ascending pathways to man seeks his Creator: strives to reach is "stretched" to reach God: to know, to please, honor.

2. Descending: God addresses man and reveals himself, saves him and shows him the way of salvation.

The first way that man is the inner impulse that leads him to seek his Creator and the fullness thereof. Is commendable and shows excellent intention. But this road may go as far as you can ... it will always be little. The human ascent to God is clearly insufficient to meet God so full. No matter how valuable it is-and is-its result can not be a human religion, ie man-made. With many real elements, some inventions of the imagination human errors and also the inevitable reflection of man's limitations.

A religion to the "measure of man" is a religion only human.

regard to its origin, it is clear that true religion can only come from the top: "top" of God. It can not be creation of man from God only if God will.

The true religion must necessarily be superior to us, beyond us precisely because it is divine. God is bigger than man. Its being and its truth can not not do better. What comes from Him, than our abilities. Human concepts are "kids" to contain the truth divine and human word can not express.
So a religion that comes from God necessarily must include elements that do not fully understand because it's beyond my ability to understand, is what we call mysteries. Its acceptance requires faith.

This is a clear starting point: it takes faith, by definition! My arguments fall short of the divine. I accept what God reveals, not on human approaches, but for her divine origin. It's good to be this: if religion fit into our reason ... would be too small.
Therefore, I am not the referee, do not decide: accept a reality that comes from above and which exists independently of me. A really great, far from humble, made me great.

A religion that comes from God is a human production. This is obvious. On the other hand if it comes from God, is divine. A religion that God is not no good!

divine religion is not an imposition, is a gift. The greatest gift possible: the key to God.
Let us see an example, a teacher at his school could simply look at the work of their students, their efforts to learn how to count, write, etc.. If there is no prior teaching, more notable were the efforts of the boys, would not make it very clear that to achieve satisfactory results. Perhaps some more smart to bring a little truth, but always so low: much time and effort needed to reach the knowledge that has her master, who in turn received from their own teachers .... All need-need-a guide. And trust in teacher education (especially as the "Maestro" is God himself.)

So we might conclude that the divine religion is not "built" according to human opinions. Men do not. Religion comes from above. It can only come from above. All human religions are a very worthy effort, but can not get very far.
Reality is not "decides" majority. Neither the worldly and the divine. Issues of religion does not depend on sociological statistics. They are not mere personal opinion: they refer to the supernatural reality: the Creator, the sense of creation, the divine plan for the world and man, personal fulfillment, access to God, life after death, etc.

addition not all opinions are equal: some are true and false, more or less justified, reasonable or sustainable. Torture is not the same to feed the hungry, you're more convinced that who torture and makes him an asset to humanity.
relativism makes no sense. Non-stop anywhere. In fact, can not 'work' in relativistic key in any specific area of \u200b\u200blife: not to eat, work, loved ones try to make investments, using a computer, you travel ... Modern culture limited
relativism ("all the same", "no better or worse options," all religions lead to God ", etc.) Only to field the most important issues of existence which make the meaning of life, religion and morality. It's not really rational choice, which is meaningless. It would only make sense if God did not exist and religion was a children's story. But there

a world greater than ourselves. It can be difficult to find him, but give up his search is sensible.
in this area is obvious that we need faith. Without faith you can access God. Without faith no one can recognize the true religion.
By the same token, those who lack faith, far from being a privileged, has a serious problem: it lacks allowing it access to crucial truths of his life. Know the deeper truth about himself: where he came from, where it goes, how to make your life, what happens after death, etc. More important to know what is outside their field of vision.
have to find the meaning of life, could live otherwise "entertaining" with the things of earth, but will lack the key to understanding of their existence. If you are looking with sincerity, will find that God goes out to meet and receive the faith, because God gives is a gift received.

Christianity is a revealed religion. God conveys to us the truth about himself and his plan for us, and also communicates Himself. It's a matter of faith. The faith you have or do not. It's like a treasure hidden in a field: it was found or not found.
In matters of faith can not convince anyone, everyone has to meet God personally.
not be forced to believe, freely to accept God and His revelation.
can pray for those who do not believe to find it. And help you search.

crazy But would a God who seeks to impose their own tastes and fashions. And, even more, who was elevated as judge of the Creator, demanding explanations about what makes or permits.
No, we do not make religion, happily for us from above, and this is the best thing that could have happened.

But there's more ...

Religion teaches only one set of truths about God, ourselves and the world, especially communicates a divine life on lifts man to insert himself in the divine world. And lead us to eternal life. This is the most important: through religion, life, comes to us.

religion-if true-not only provides comfort for this life but mainly leads to eternal happiness: this is their raison d'etre.

Thus, religion does not diminishes the life, full of prohibitions, but broadens their horizons, enlarging the life chances. Fill out the existence and opens up in unexpected ways. And most of us into the divine happiness.
For his greatness can not be picky. And this is part of its beauty.

Eduardo Maria Volpacchio

http://algunasrespuestas.blogspot.com/

Electro Song That Counts Down From 5

The problem of who does not believe

"If human beings just trust what your eyes see in reality is blind because it limits their horizons so that eludes him precisely the point. Because
does not take into account their intelligence. The really important things not seen through the eyes of the senses, and to that extent it still does not perceive that it is able to see beyond what is directly perceptible. "

Joseph Ratzinger, God and the world, p. 16

have faith or no faith, that is the question

There are people with faith and people without faith. People who have it and live as if they had none; and people who do not have and would like to have it.
People who are born into a Christian family and are almost genetically Christian. Persons to whom no one spoke of God, do not know and lack of experience "divine" lack of sensitivity to spiritual things. Faith says nothing, because they can not imagine what it is to have it.
People lost faith they once had, they were left on the road and do not care much where. Do not tell them anything because they got bored with what they believed. People
eager to find meaning in the routine of their lives.

In these few pages, I explain to the believer (that beyond economic crises never has experienced what it is to live without faith) the problem of those who lack faith. Because, let's say input, although it is not aware, who has no faith has a very serious problem.

What is the problem of those who lack faith?

To begin, we lose a lot of really knowing. And, specifically, the highest.
can reach only a very superficial view of human life: what you see, hear, eat, fat, sick, etc. But man is more than just a machine that processes food, work and play. Whoever loses the human spirit (the most valuable of man) loses much (and relationship with God is the highest expression of the human spirit). Lose

also transcendence and his life is so locked in the "prison" of the immanence of the world. You can enjoy many things, fun, etc., But his life taken as a whole, has become a path to cancer and the grave. It's hard, but not expected otherwise.

lose the deeper meaning of love, that without the spirit is reduced to mere pleasure.
It misses the deeper meaning of life (do I live, where to go ...). Do not know where it comes from or where it goes.

can not achieve all that, Ultimately, it matters. It has no single answer to the crucial problems of human existence. As recognized English Nobel prize, agnostic, full of sadness towards the end of his life: "I have no one answer for the things that really interest me. I am a very special wise. A sage that knows nothing about what matters. "

Who says that only believe what you touch and see (if not I do not think so), do not really know what you're saying. The deeper reality of things is not at the surface and, therefore, is beyond the reach of the senses. Not seen with the eyes, not weighed in the balance, even with a microscope is achieved. It "sees" with intelligence, but beyond reach of their senses. And the biggest truth-how is the intimate life of God, than even the intellectual capacity to "see" only be accessed by faith. So bright
is explained and summarized the fox to Prince when he says "can not be seen only with the heart. The essence is hidden from the eye "(Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince, XXI).

The man without faith
never comes to understand some of the most important things in your life

For example:

happiness and the desire for infinite
The
spiritual realities of life sense (what we are here)
The deepest longings of the person

Failure
Pain Death (both in general and their own and that of loved ones)
And above it that comes later.

Who

closed its non-creeencia has closed access to God, redemption, salvation.
closed to transcendence, is closed at its highest development, and especially to perfect happiness.
In humans there is a yearning for the infinite can not repress: nothing of this world fully satisfied, because here's things "are girls." These anxieties infinity will be satisfied after this life. So who is closed to transcendence, existentially frustrated because it is impossible to conceive as possible to the satisfaction of the more radical tendency of his being: his tendency to fullness.

Only those who know who can live fully

In the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Benedict XVI recalled that "only where God is truly begin life. Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each is loved, each one is necessary. Nothing is more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel of Christ. Nothing more beautiful than to know Him and to others of our friendship with him. The task of the pastor, the fisher of men, can often seem wearisome. But it is beautiful and wonderful, because it is truly a service to joy, to God's joy which longs to break into the world "(Benedict XVI, Homily of 04/24/1905).

man without faith, you lose the best of life (not necessarily the most fun): God and eternal life are beyond the horizon of his life and scope.

Some with a good heart, can handle very noble things, such as science or art, also contribute to the temporal welfare of others. All this is very good. But they are missing something, indeed much: the opening to infinity and perfection, which gives meaning and value to what they do. For them, this good in a way, it becomes a way to God.

Other, perhaps consistent with their materialistic view of life (who does not believe in transcendence is "locked" in the subject) - live in frivolity ("eat and drink for tomorrow we die") may be distracted (dis-brought: zoom attention from the important), entertainment (between-have: a pass slightly while between two things), fun (playing light things dealing), live in and the silly.
Society today (technology) offers all sorts of means to achieve ... and may distract, entertain and have fun with some success ... and at times forget who they are, but not done: lose their lives.
distracted may take his life, entertaining and fun (with the attention away from what would lead to a fulfilled life.)
die without even realizing it. But in the end, will this mystery unfold and see how their lives have been frustrated by filling it with anything.

Is it comfortable to be a believer?

Some

repeat an overused phrase, "It is hard to be non-believer."
As if the position of believers should be more comfortable. As if non-believers to be more honest by not believing the price of insecurity (which is really painful).

This term has two parts.
Being a believer is much safer and at the same time, demanding.
is true that without faith there is a lack of security of the believer. And this may not be hard. But it can also be very comfortable. Can not see the inside of people. Some people to be comfortable "pay" the price of living in the dark. Not committed to the truth, not seek it. Live peacefully in their ignorance to not exposed to having to do those things that exijiría if found faith ... and therefore prefer not to look.

are not condemned to not believing. Those who are honest with yourself do not ever abandon the pursuit of truth.

the curious claim of It really curious agnostic of the agnostic pose of asserting the impossibility of knowing what he knows ...
Would not it be reasonable to say simply that he still could not see what you do not know? Makes an extrapolation that is not valid: to move from a particular data (the non-personal knowledge of God) to the general statement of the impossibility of it. But he knows not shown at least that is impossible to know.
Faith is a treasure hidden in a field.
have not yet found insufficient to deny its existence. Only proves that I keep looking. Instead, it seems pretty irrefutable that many sane people (not crazy) have sold everything they had to buy the field ...

Faith and betting

who does not believe too much risk.
Faith is not a matter of probabilities, not calculations of interest and convenience, but long ago, a mathematical mind as Pascal suggested the following alternatives:

If you believe in God and God exists, I've won everything.
If you believe in God and God
not exist, do not lose anything.
If you do not believe in God and God exists, I lose everything.
If you do not believe in God and God does not exist, you gain nothing.

But not a question of betting. Faith is not a bet, although the balance of probabilities have more chances of winning.

not think you want but you can Faith is a gift that God does not deny anyone. It's a mystery of grace and human freedom.

impressive to see Jesus giving thanks to the Heavenly Father because it has been shown to have hidden the humble and those who are themselves wise, prudent (cf. Mt 11.25). God is hidden and shown. Only the poor are able to see.

The truth is obvious: everyone should take the path leading to it. A very personal way. Seek the truth and get in position to find God.

is not getting to understand God, but to find it.
And when it is, then, is understood and especially loves it.

Being able to listen to God and be able to talk to God
How do you get to meet God, to listen and talk?
"must learn to talk to God?"
One can be-or become-deaf to the things of God. "The body of God, says Card. Ratzinger, may atrophy to the point that words of faith from becoming completely meaningless. "
"And who has not heard can not speak, for deaf and dumb go together." Then we must be able to "learn" to communicate with God. "Little by little you learn to read encrypted writing of God, to speak their language and We understand God, but never completely. Gradually self can pray and talk to God, to the top so childish in a way we will always be children, "but after getting better, in his own words" (Joseph Ratzinger, God and the world, p. 16) .

How?

No magic formulas, no tours.
First, with the opening to transcendence: he dismissed out of hand the possibility of the supernatural, would close the door to the truth. Would be rejecting a priori the existence of something that is not irrational. And with this attitude obviously difficult to find something whose existence voluntarily refuse. But is not that the truth is hidden, simply denies.

After all that favors the activity of the mind: art, poetry, music and more. The expressions of the human spirit.
with philosophical realism. Upon reading
exemplary lives (the saints), and in particular the path of the great converts of history. The reading
of Holy Scripture, God speaks in it.
With prayer. Even if it seems good for nothing: God listens but I'm not aware of his presence.

A secret

Georges Chevrot explains that "God is love rather than be understood" (The Well of Sychar, Ed Rialp, p. 291). In fact, we know God more through the love of intelligence. John understood Jesus better because he was not smart but because he loved her more and therefore had more intimacy with Him who does not understand, you should start trying to love and what came to be seen. The reverse path is not guaranteed success: easily become entangled by pride, and to find faith, humility is essential.
And who understand, "he to whom Christianity would" close "perfectly" still has some way to go, to get to love him with all my heart.

looking for, try go to him, even before they believe in Him
Faith is an act of knowledge, but also involves the exercise of the will must want to believe. It is difficult for anyone wanting to come to believe not to believe. God does not force our freedom. They are very rare unexpected encounters like San Pablo or André Frossard (in his book "God exists, I found it" tells his personal story.)
But faith is above all an encounter. Not reached by intellectual reasoning, but surrenders when intelligence is God. In particular, a personal encounter with Christ (whom Christians affirm that lives and thus "found").

A common risk

Not a few people fall into the temptation of faith to create a tailor, as you prefer. But this would be a remarkable self-deception.
The truth has to come from outside. In the case of God, can only come from Him On my own I can get to know some things about God, but more important is what he reveals, which is inaccessible to our intelligence.

The greatness of faith

Lets go beyond appearances, beyond this world. Discover the deeper realities, the true meaning of things, the meaning of life. And penetrating the mystery, encounter God.

Christians should have a healthy sense of superiority ... is not really complex itself. It's just the joy of living a higher reality. Known called to something great, to eternal life.

Faith answers to the questions most important person.
The most vital, urgent, acute. The man can not fail to arise. Which will shape their lives according to the answer to get it.

who lacks faith does not solve them simply need to refuse to refer because he knows he can not find answers for them.

faith issues require faith. This is obvious. To believe is to have it. Who do not have can not "see."
But it is also true that many things are not "close" without faith (the existence of evil, life after death, the sense of pain, and many more.) And things of faith "close" (not fables taken down): come to explain the world in a completely coherent.

Faith is not provable, but believe is reasonable.
Much more reasonable than not to believe. 27/11/1906

コマツ Pc15

What good is a Christian? Good manners

Often in moments of fatigue, frustration or grief head crossing a sharp question: "But then, what good is a Christian? "
can pose very different tones: rebellious, defiant, depressed or in pain. It may be a mere complaint, a search response, a massed background or angry that the statement is worthless ...
in tone is made and the response to be given will depend in many cases, what kind of Christian is "holy, warm or cold, or who ceases to be at all ...

From a utilitarian perspective and challenging perhaps, is equivalent to the question about the meaning of Christian. Other questions
equivalent. For example: what helps me believe in God (or love, or pray ...)? What do I gain by going to Mass (or if I confess, get married by the Church ...)? And a long list of others like we want to analyze and respond in this article.
questions raised in terms of public interest, convenience or benefits that occur to me to be or live as a Christian. And justified to be, so it would be Christian just to get those benefits. And should stop if it were shown to be "not working" because it reports the benefits you would expect from him.
An important question that goes to the root of Christian identity: why I am a Christian? What hope of Christianity? What can I do?

A first quick answer:
face this life, and key material, possibly a Christian serves little purpose. We expect nothing
much larger: perfect happiness in eternal life.

be Christian, in principle, does not provide more health or more money, or better character, and we guarantee professional success or sports and ...
obviously live as God asks us, precisely because it responds to the demands of human nature will make us much good. But no such property lies in the reason of being Christian.

The issue of ultimate

who seeks, above all, the aim of his life, issues that will occur before his death (to be rated, succeed professionally, earn money, have fun, enjoy welfare ... or anything else style) might find in Christianity a weight, and easily evaluate it as an obstacle to their objectives (because it "takes" time, demands to be generous, honest, sincere ....)

But Christians (if we understood what Christianity) Christians are not only earthly expectations, ie for material benefits or merely temporary.
With St. Paul we are convinced that "if only for this life we \u200b\u200bhave put our hope in Christ, we are the most miserable of all men" (1 Cor 14:19). That is, we would be very foolish if we were Christians, primarily in the hope of benefits here below.

Promise of eternal life.

input your facts straight. Christ is not a temporal Messiah, promised eternal life.
This is the reason that prevented the Pharisees acknowledge and accept. To the apostles had a hard time temporalist rid of this vision of the Kingdom. In their love for Jesus best intentions mixed with worldly ambition imbued with egoism (these discussions about who would be the greatest when it finally establish the Kingdom!).
Christianity is a great promise, but not a promise but a promise chiquitita divine fullness, glory, union with God, deification participation divine life itself. A promise that completely transcends this life.
Jesus repeats over and over again in the Gospel: "the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day" (Jn 6.40);
"Whoever eats my meat and drink my blood has eternal lives, and I raise in the last days" (Jn 6.54), "Whoever believes in the Son have life eternal" (Jn 3.36).

The road is not easy: the road is narrow, the narrow gate, you have to carry the cross from time to time, but every day. Required delivery is demanding ... but finally the glory awaits us. And we are convinced of worth. Well experienced what was St. Paul who suffered much in his life: "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not comparable with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom 8:18).

The Kingdom that Jesus preached the kingdom of heaven. The day of his death Jesus has to make clear to Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world (cf. Jn 18, 36).

There is no deception: they are temporary advantages that we offer.
The Christian God does not seek primarily temporal goods, of which, to begin, we must be detached to follow Christ.
This is evident when the Jews admired and happy to have eaten through the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves look for it to make him king (a king and how wonderful life can give us!), Jesus disappeared and corrects his enthusiasm: "Work not for food that perishes but one that lasts to eternal life "(Jn 6.27).
The same Jesus who cures some patients, says, "Do not fear those who kill the body but can not kill the soul" (Mt 10:28). The main body is not the case.
temporal goods should not take first place in our requests and interests. And when we ask and seek, we always subordinate to the spiritual and eternal.

Eternity content is full of life

the Christian life here on earth is woven temporal and eternal event. Our life passes in time, but transcends it: it "puts" in eternity.
The hope of eternal life does not look in the distant future, but that pervades daily life. It is an escape from the troubles of this life, taking refuge in a possible future world in which there is a relative comfort. Does not lead to neglect of the things of earth, but we take care of them for a higher reason.
We are driven to conquer this kingdom is not of this world, specifically in the events down here.
So
mortality needs the reference to the eternal. Otherwise we would be empty. And eternal life is achieved with the commitment in this life.

Cardinal. Ratzinger explained to a group of university students in Spain: "If you completely lose sight of the eternal, then so present world loses its value because it runs in that brief period in which we live. Therefore, also from a human point of view must be opened to eternity and open to God. However, if from the ground there is neglected, then it has understood the wrong way to God and eternity, precisely because faith in God and faith in eternity takes responsibility for strengthening the field because in every moment of my life I will forever and if negligence creating this becoming ground, that make eternity in the temporal, entered into a contradiction with myself. I think that's what we have to learn: that without you can not live forever because time is empty, but only if that knowledge of eternity comes to fulfill completely this time, then that makes sense " [1 ] .

return is a reference.

We were created to love, to reach a fullness to which it is reached by the gift of self. And in our existence is the paradox that verifies who selfishly seeks his happiness will not find ever.

A materialistic Christianity?

A Christian materialist in which religion is resorted to only looking for temporary benefits, including a vague future hope "does not hold. Joseph P.

Manglano dialog contains a brilliant Guitton, synthesized here:
- Richelieu suffered many headaches and prayed to God to deliver him from them.
- Suppose for a moment that just pray for it. What would God's idea?
- I guess the celestial an aspirin.
- Invent Richelieu aspirin and stop praying. Continue to believe in God, but yours will be an idle God, a God who is but has no role in our lives. [2]

This is the problem. It is lawful, good, desirable and necessary to turn to God to solve our earthly problems - is our Father - but if we go with interest only temporary ... sooner or later our faith will be in trouble. Because it is a selfish and materialistic pose!

When expectations fail

... Today is not uncommon to find people who feel let down by God and Christianity. About Esperanza Elementary
temporary benefits of religion, you might end disenchanted with Christ.
would run this risk if we see religious life in terms of a consideration with God, I fulfill his will, do what he wants, I go to Mass, etc. In return, He hears my prayers, protect me from evil, evil saves me time, for some miracle from time to time to get me out of trouble, etc. When life runs smoothly, all is well. But a serious problem occurs when God does not "meet" you (or rather the part that we believe should do ...) or find another way to solve the problem.

In that case, one could end up turning away from God, a victim of disappointment. You may feel that God has failed, it has not done its part. And then sits with his right to leave: leave to pray, attend Mass, to live as Christians, or even abandon their vocation.
visiting patients in a hospital found a woman who did not practice the faith, though, as she dealt with quickly noted, had previously lived intensely. I asked him what had happened. His answer left me ice cream, "God let me down." And he went on to explain that to a number of serious problems had prayed intensely, and that despite their prayers had not happened. It was like telling me: "what does that do? with God well I'm not going anywhere. I do not work. "

is hard for a person to feel disappointed with God. Souls who quit because they feel that God was not up to what was expected of him ..

are those who, frustrated by not getting what they asked-questions: "what good is prayer?, If many do not pray and do very well." Or "why should behave well, do you report?" Just happens to those who struggle spiritually with the perspective that God will make them happy. When you feel that God is not doing "their part" implicit contract "because they suffer", is baffled and an earthquake pulls down his life spiritual.

to avoid misunderstandings should analyze well what we expect from God. Because it could be to wait things that God has not promised ...
But in reality God has not failed. What failed were the expectations. Waited wrong. Secularized virtue of hope: the "put" in this life and the "reduced" to temporal affairs (search for health, a good job, money, approval testing, career success, family, etc..). They were wrong. They had an eye to God face to temporal goods (health, employment, economic hardship, etc.). God never promised, and they forgot about the eternal (a that these shortcomings may have contributed). And it came to find out how the logic of God, one true logic.

False expectations lead to disappointment and disillusionment.

So in reality it is human disappointments.

So what good is prayer?

Praying always useful. Primarily to unite with God (the main purpose of the sentence.) When I ask something do not try to "change" the will of God, to persuade him to ignore me, that I have reason ... I ask you something I am convinced that God wants us to ask for that (my father!). I ask this because it is good, happy life me, I will help us serve you better, I can offer ...: In two words, enter into their plans of holiness. And at the same time, as I know God loves me dearly and no mistake, I'll be happy if it deems "just because I listen and I want-the best thing for me is not having what I want.
Some argue that to believe this requires faith. Absolutely.
With God all things are matter of faith: to believe and trust in their intelligence, goodness and omnipotence.
God always listens. Also when I do not understand when I can not hear, when it hurts me even when I'm angry. Faith includes confidence, and this gives meaning to pain, teaches holy cross.
God always loves, even when not given me what I ask. God is never wrong, "even when it seems that" thinks "differently than I or do not understand.
Obviously one of the key issues of our life is to discover the meaning of the cross. It makes sense, worth a lot. We try to seek and find.

If you want to know what is best, look in the Gospel and find what he wanted for himself and people he loved most.

God does not fail. It can not fail: if God is, what is real.

pray that love God. Because I know he loves me and wants the best for me. Prayer
confident in his will and his love. I know it serves me right, not when I have to suffer, not when it gives me what I ask, because then it gives me something much more valuable face to eternal life. Prayer
to join him: I look because I want to be with, find your help, your comfort is love, peace, help to be better son. To be able to give you the best of myself is what calls me love.

selfish A Christian?

The error of the matter is to start at the root in the proposition.
What is Christianity? A matter of love.
So what is it love? Love is the most important in life than happiness and fulfillment depend on one's own life. But since the question "what good is love? What would I gain if I love? "Never make love again.
We must be careful because you can not love a pose selfish (and no one is exempt from the temptation of selfishness). You can not love what I'm primarily looking for that love brings.

Love God above all things. That is the end. But if I ask myself "why I serve God? Why do I love? "We're starting the wrong path of faith and love. We put God on the basis of our interests. But God is not a servant class. It is impossible to grow in love following the path of the search egoistón own benefit.


Conclusion

do not you ask this question because it makes no sense. And when you cross over the head, respond with generosity, rejecting petty These claims involved.
At the same time you should know that being a Christian is used "too much" (is all you need!).

In fact, God and eternal life are

Christianity is not a bet on the future, like that of someone playing the lottery to see if the number comes out. It is not a gamble to see what happens ...
There are some "small" details to consider: God exists, we will die, we will be with Him, we will draw its presence accounts of how we have used the life he has given us ...

live as if God did not exist is fatal ... simply because it is a very false assumption: there is no possibility that does not exist.
live as if we were to lie here ... it's never too ridiculous ... just because the only thing that is clear in our life is going to die.

So, what is it Christian?

We have been created to love. Christianity makes to the creation of man leads us to the fullness for which we exist and which will attain perfect happiness. But that will not happen in this life perfect happiness consists in the possession of God, which happen in life eternal.
But this does not mean that face this life is useless, and that we are "condemned" to endure a cruel life consolation in how well we'll have after death.
Eternal life begins to take place in germ now. That eternal life and live here. Grace is a participation in divine life. Not felt, not measured in economic, health, etc. Nor in professional success. But it is more real than what we play. And is measured in terms of love and talent.

Christianity gives meaning to life, adds value and is "full" content. Makes intramundane issues are not unimportant, but rather open to eternity. Lets live this life
open to the fullness and transcend.
Without Christianity
life is very poor. Too. Is enclosed in immanence, in the space-time coordinates. Life without the prospect of Eternity is a film that ends badly. How is personal future? From the perspective of body worship, pretty bad: over the years, each time with less strength, sicker, more limited ... to death. Prospects "materials" are not the best. Supernatural
But the prospects are excellent, and they are getting better: closer to getting the life you crave more and more mature, wiser, more love, more full of love and service projects.

The supernatural virtue of hope is more necessary than many imagine. It opens horizons of fulfillment and love. Fill in this life and now content, and leads us to the worth, the one for which we are made, where they will realize the deepest longings of the human heart.
But supernatural hope, he adds. Is much more than a vague aspiration or desire, is the certainty that God will give us what we promise: a life eternally happy with Him in glory.

But being a Christian only to face this life would be a cruel scam. The worst of the scams: take the most valuable, most profound sense, the reason why God became man, died, rose again and ascended into heaven for us.

Ultimately being a Christian meant to:

Discovering the meaning of our life (what we live!)
live as God wants and so do the meaning of our existence
To enable a full life in the field
humans enjoy friendship with God and live in intimacy with
the path of eternal life and be holy
Fill supernatural value to this earthly life
Feeding our lives with the Word of God
strengthen our life with grace Get the sacraments
forgiveness of our sins
deify our life by eating the body of God made man
May the Holy Spirit dwells in us as in a temple and sanctify our lives. Living

Joining God love God and live in communion with
addition, that their demand "pull" the best of us open ourselves

horizons of eternal life give meaning to suffering and death have
the help of divine grace
That we hold with the help of others

And above all served to make us infinitely happy in eternal life.


[1] Joseph Ratzinger, the College Colloquium Belagua (Pamplona), Our Time, IV-98, p. 54.
[2] See JP Manglano, Living With respect, Ed Martínez Roca, Barcelona 2001, p. 198.