The Sacrament of the Future

The Sacrament of the Future
Author: George Vass
Publisher: Gracewing Publishing
Total Pages: 292
Release: 2005
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 9780852446195

The Sacrament of the Future is a contemporary examination of the theory and praxis of sacraments undertaken in the belief that a renewed understanding of them will shape the survival of the faith in the changed circumstances of the twenty-first century. This new perspective is the eschatological character of the sacraments: by retaining the tension between time and eternity in our present life, sacraments anticipate the future fulfilment of salvation in heaven. The association of the two classical treatises of Sacramental Theology and the doctrine of Last Things will alter our approach not only to the sacraments, but also to other important tenets of Christian theology. This book is the result of half a lifetime's work in presenting and critically analysing Karl Rahner's theological thought. Professor George Vass has not confined himself to the detailed exposition of the thought of his predecessor but, through a critical analysis of his views, tries to enter into dialogue with him. Professor Vass, Fellow of Heythrop College, University of London, and for twenty years holder of Karl Rahner's chair at the University of Innsbruck, entered the Society of Jesus in 1946, and obtained his qualifications in Philosophy and Theology at various European universities. He taught at Heythrop College, Oxon, and the University of London, before his call to the University of Innsbruck in 1976. In 1996 he became Professor Emeritus of the chair of Dogmatic and Ecumenical Theology. Since then he has been Parish Priest within the diocese of Tyrol, Austria.

Abandonment to Divine Providence

Abandonment to Divine Providence
Author: Jean Pierre de Caussade
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Total Pages: 454
Release: 2011-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1586174711

God is to be found in the simplest of our daily activities and especially through total surrender to whatever is His will for each of us. That is the message of this 18th-century inspirational classic by Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Its encouragement to live in the present moment, accepting everyday obstacles with humility and love, has guided generations of seekers to spiritual peace and holiness. In this timeless spiritual classic, de Caussade presents the simple, profound gospel message that Jesus lived and taught: My meat is to do the will of my Father in heaven. The author states, The will of God gives to all things a supernatural and divine value for the soul submitting to it. The duties it imposes and those it contains become holy and perfect because everything it touches shares its divine character.This special volume of the famous spiritual treatise also includes the many insightful letters of Father de Caussade on the practice of self-abandonment. These numerous letters provide a great additional source of wisdom and much practical guidance for how to grow in abandonment and to deepen our union with God in our daily lives.De Caussade shows that this practice of self-abandonment to God's will is the key to attaining true peace and virtue, and that it is readily available to all people - from beginners to those well advanced in the spiritual life. He also shows how to determine what God's will is for us. He reveals that it is not extraordinary feats that God expects for our growth in holiness, but rather heroic attention to every detail in our lives and humble acceptance of our daily lot in life as coming from His hand. The rich spiritual lessons in this book have stood the test of time, offering real and practical assistance to all people because its message is simple and clear, one that the reader will find to be a rare treasure of inspiration and direction to be referred to again and again.

Faith and the Future

Faith and the Future
Author: Pope Benedict XVI
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Total Pages: 120
Release: 2010-05-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1681491680

Increasingly, the future is becoming a theme for theological reflection. In the background we can detect a growing concern among many people for the future of faith. Does faith have any future at all, and, if so, where in all the confusion of today's trends will we discover its embryo? But the problem of the future assails not only the believer. In the ever more rapidly advancing process of historical evolution, man is confronted with enormous opportunities, but also with colossal perils. For him, the future is not only hope, but sorrow a nightmare, indeed. He cannot avoid asking what part faith can play in building tomorrow's world. Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, approaches this problem of universal concern from a variety of angles, bringing his deep personal faith and theological brilliance to bear on these serious questions.

Swear to God

Swear to God
Author: Scott Hahn
Publisher: Image
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2005-10-18
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0385516932

The most solemn, majestic, and beautiful gifts that Jesus Christ gave to the world are His sacraments. He endowed them with unprecedented and unparalleled power—power to change lives, save souls, and share God’s very life. The sacraments are the ordinary means by which God directs the course of each human life and all of world history. The Church celebrates seven sacraments: baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, matrimony, holy orders, confession, and anointing of the sick. Each was established by Jesus for the sake of salvation. When Jesus spoke of the sacraments, He made clear that they were essential: Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (Jn 3:5) . . . unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you (Jn 6: 53). In Swear to God, Dr. Scott Hahn explores the richness of Christ’s sacraments—their doctrine, history, symbols, and rituals. Drawing upon the Bible and the Church’s tradition, he shows how God’s covenants—with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David—became the driving forces in history. When Jesus came to fulfill all these covenants, He established a new covenant, with greater power than ever before. Christians are God’s children now. Joined to Christ by baptism, we can already share in the eternal life of the Trinity, a life we hope to know fully in heaven. But heaven is with us, even now, in the sacraments.

Soil and Sacrament

Soil and Sacrament
Author: Fred Bahnson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2013-08-06
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1451663307

Recounts the author's experiences founding a faith-based community garden in rural North Carolina, and emphasizes how growing one's own food can help readers reconnect with the land and divine faith.

The Future of the Sacrament of Penance

The Future of the Sacrament of Penance
Author: Frank O'Loughlin
Publisher: Paulist Press
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2009
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 9780809145560

Calls for a change in attitude toward, and a renewal in, understanding the use of the sacrament of penance

The Sacraments and Their Celebration

The Sacraments and Their Celebration
Author: Nicholas Halligan
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 303
Release: 2004-10-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 159244931X

Making full use of the new Code of Canon Law, recent conciliar documents, and pertinent ecclesiastical directives, this work brings together into one handy volume a wealth of information along with authorized norms whereby priests and aspirants to the ministry may be safely guided in the lawful and reverential celebration of the sacraments. The author is a recognized expert in the area of pastoral theology and canon law and, as such, brings to this book the qualifications which promise to make it a standard reference work in its field.

The Future of the Catholic Church with Pope Francis

The Future of the Catholic Church with Pope Francis
Author: Garry Wills
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 282
Release: 2015-03-10
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0698157656

The New York Times bestselling historian takes on a pressing question in modern religion—will Pope Francis embrace change? Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas, offers a challenge to his church. Can he bring about significant change? Should he? Garry Wills, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, argues provocatively that, in fact, the history of the church throughout is a history of change. In this brilliant and incisive study, Wills describes the deep and serious changes that have taken place in the church or are in the process of occurring. These include the change from Latin, the growth and withering of the ecclesiastical monarchy, the abandonment of biblical literalism, the assertion and nonassertion of infallibility, and the erosion of church patriarchy. In such developments we see the living church adapting itself to the new historical circumstances. As Wills contends, it is only by examining the history of the church that we can understand Pope Francis's and the church's challenges.