P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
|
INTENTION : |
That, firm in their faith, Christians may be eager to dialogue with those who belong to another religious tradition.
|
Today's world is characterised by rapid communications, mobility of people and personal choices. Because of these, we easily meet followers of other religious traditions. It is therefore necessary for us Christians to understand the convictions, values and traditions of other believers in our plural society. Vatican II has provided a positive assessment of other religious traditions. Hence, we need to observe some basic principles.
We should remain firm in our belief that in Jesus Christ is the fullness of revelation and Truth. Truth is not a thing we possess exclusively, but a person, Jesus Christ, by whom we must allow ourselves to be possessed. Thus anyone wishing to enter into inter-faith dialogue should possess a balanced attitude which presupposes that one is integral to and convinced of one's own faith.
We must also remember that God has manifested Himself in some way to the followers of other faiths or religions. We must be prepared to learn and receive from them the positive values of their traditions. Then we will be able to perceive more clearly the distinctive elements and richness of our Christian message. Our faith will then gain new dimensions as we discover the active presence of the mystery of Jesus Christ in His Spirit beyond the visible boundaries of the Church and of the Christian fold.
|
|
