Mark 5, 35-43 + CSDC and CV

Mark 5, 35-43 + CSDC and CV

CV 73a. Linked to technological development is the increasingly pervasive presence of the means of social communications. It is almost impossible today to imagine the life of the human family without them. For better or for worse, they are so integral a part of life today that it seems quite absurd to maintain that they are neutral — and hence unaffected by any moral considerations concerning people. Often such views, stressing the strictly technical nature of the media, effectively support their subordination to economic interests intent on dominating the market and, not least, to attempts to impose cultural models that serve ideological and political agendas.

Christian faith has never presumed to impose a rigid framework

CSDC 568b. When reality is the subject of careful attention and proper interpretation, concrete and effective choices can be made. However, an absolute value must never be attributed to these choices because no problem can be solved once and for all. “Christian faith has never presumed to impose a rigid framework on social and political questions, conscious that the historical dimension requires men and women to live in imperfect situations, which are also susceptible to rapid change”[1189].

Notes: [1189] Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life (24 November 2002), 7: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City 2002, pp. 15-16.

(Mk 5, 35-43) Do not be afraid; just have faith      

[35] While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?" [36] Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." [37] He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. [38] When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. [39] So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." [40] And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. [41] He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" [42] The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. (At that) they were utterly astounded. [43] He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

CSDC 455. Not only is the inner man made whole once more, but his entire nature as a corporeal being is touched by the redeeming power of Christ. The whole of creation participates in the renewal flowing from the Lord's Paschal Mystery, although it still awaits full liberation from corruption, groaning in travail (cf. Rom 8:19-23), in expectation of giving birth to “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 21:1) that are the gift of the end of time, the fulfilment of salvation. In the meantime, nothing stands outside this salvation. Whatever his condition of life may be, the Christian is called to serve Christ, to live according to his Spirit, guided by love, the principle of a new life, that brings the world and man back to their original destiny: “whether ... the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours; and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's” (1 Cor 3:22-23).

[Initials and Abbreviations.- CSDC: Pontifical Council for Justice And Peace, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church; -  SDC: Social Doctrine of the Church; - CV: Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate (Charity in truth)].