Fr. German’s Message
June Last week, I proposed that we reflect upon the first part of a phrase
spoken by Pope John XXIII at the opening speech for Council of Vatican II.
This week, I remind you of the Pope’s wishes and invite you to reflect upon
the second part of his words.
Pope John XXIII said, “I want to open
a window in the Church so that we may see what occurs on the outside and so
that the world may see what takes place inside our Church.”
The Pope hoped that the Council of Vatican II would allow the Church and
Christians to witness what takes place in the world and at the same time allow
the world to see the inner workings of the Church.
In order to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Year of Faith, from October
11, 2012 to November 24, 2013, we can select a passage from the Council.
Readings, prayer, and reflection, either alone or in group, with a text from the Council, may help us to discover, understand, appreciate, and face what transpires
in our world before us.
The words of the Council may also help us to better exercise our faith so
that the world, our brothers and sisters who do not know Christ and the Church
may see what takes place in our community.
Greater knowledge of the writings of the Second Vatican Council may help us
to face our world today, the world that God created, the world in which Jesus
lived, the world that God loves, and the world to which we were sent to be the
light and salt of the earth.
Such knowledge of the Second Vatican Council may help us to better present
to the world the true image of Christ and the true nature and mission of the
Church. There exists today in our society men and women that have distanced
themselves from God or from the Church as a result of misunderstandings or
false representations of Christ or the Church.
The Second Vatican Council invites us to discover the beauty of Christ and
the mission of the Church so that our relationship with the world is not one of
conflict but of fraternity.
If we view the world with God’s eyes and if the world views the Church with
Christ’s eyes, then we will appreciate the world for what it is and the world
will view the Church as a mother full of compassion, as a teacher full of
wisdom, and as a radiant guide of the Light of the Gospel.
Let us discover the teachings of the Council so that we may see what
transpires in the world and so that the world may see what transpires within
the Church from a fraternal perspective.
In the message of the upcoming week, we will reflect upon select wordings
of Paul VI at the conclusion of the Council.
Have a happy week.
Fr. Germán July 8th 2012
