The contribution of the Church’s parents to liturgical spirituality and the pastoral challenges posed by reality, were the issues with which the concluded the VII International Congress of Liturgy and Pastoral in Medellín – Colombia.
Day that in addition to having the presence of Ana Cristina Villa and Mons. Lizardo Estrada As central guests, it allowed attendees to participate in three work tables oriented to the contributions that have been made to liturgical spirituality from different fields, such as patrology, sacred writing and lay faith. In his speech, the general secretary of CELAM mentioned different authors who, throughout the history of the Church, have addressed the issue of pastoral challenges in liturgical spirituality.
Taking as a starting point the idea according to which Liturgy is the culture land of the so -called “life in the spirit”The prelate recalled that, to meet its objectives, the liturgy cannot do without pastoral practices that enrich the mission of the Church and are rooted in the culture of Latin America and the Caribbean. Among them he appointed catechesis, the spiritual tradition of different schools, personal prayer, contemplation, internal discipline, mysticism, popular piety and social commitment.
Latent needs
For Estrada, the passage of The history and forms that the human being uses to configure his experience of faith, pose various challenges to liturgical spiritualityin front of those who must respond with simple but determining attitudes when generating a real impact on the life of believers.
Among them he spoke of the need for dedicate more time to God’s peopleto advance in the recovery of fundamental aspects in the ordered ministry and the awareness of trusting true responsibilities to the lay reason. That is, strive to overcome any ace of an attitude that can be an expression of clericalism.
In this line The auxiliary bishop of Cusco remembered, among others Josep María Soler recognized abad by Monserratwhose articles refer to the liturgy as a source of spiritual life, in the face of which he pointed out that the liturgy is in the background of Christian spirituality and there is no opposition between them. Liturgical spirituality “is not at the mercy of subjectivity, emotivism or individualism Therefore, the liturgy is our first and fundamental school, whether from the martyrs of the 1st century, the cartujos monks, the Mendicant Orders and the men of our century, even if they live it differently. ”
This is how the Peruvian bishop explained that Liturgy and personal prayer constitute an opportunity for contemplation. The liturgy must feed on the proclaimed word, the sacraments and the liturgical texts. Here the invitation is to “neglect improvisation so that man discovers the beauty of God in the liturgy,” he said.
Missionaries of love
Challenges that according to the approach of the Secretary General of CELAM, They converge at the same point, Christian commitment to the other, social commitment. In this regard, Estrada ensures that the liturgy, far from being an isolated or merely spiritual act, becomes a Fundamental pillar for the social action of the Church. “In it, we find the source of inspiration, motivation and strength to commit ourselves to the construction of a more fair and equitable world,” he said.
The liturgy offers a privileged space for the integral formation of pastoral agents, including priests, religious and laity. “Through deep reflection on biblical readings, sacraments and liturgical celebrations, this process is nourished by A solid and committed spirituality With the promotion of justice, democracy, human rights, solidarity economies and the care of the common house. ”
Thus he invited to recognize that spirituality must be embodied and tangible in the commitment to the most urgent social realities. “Charity is inherent in liturgical experience, It drives us to be a missionaries of love and justice, bringing the light of Christ to the most needy corners in the world, ”he added.
Faith and Social Action
For the prelate the Liturgical spirituality allows us to recognize the presence of God in the middle of the world. “The liturgy drives us to accompany the most vulnerable communities in their struggles for social justice, the defense of their rights and the construction of a more fair and equitable world, breaking the false dichotomy between faith and social action.”
Given this reality, the liturgy cannot be understood only as a space of celebration, but as an engine of social transformation. “The liturgical celebration renews us in faith and motivates us to transform the world through love, justice and solidarity. ” Hence the importance of strengthening the formation of pastoral agents, so that within their competences it is the firm desire to accompany vulnerable communities and promote embodied spirituality. “The liturgy thus becomes a powerful instrument for the construction of a more fraternal and sustainable world.”
Finally, Estrada urged to complement the liturgical spirituality with concrete actions, such as the denunciation of injustices, the promotion of fair public policies and the participation in the construction of a more human society that assumes the Eucharist, as the moment par excellence for Being bread for others, Sharing our time, talents and resources with those who need it most.
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