Reflections – introduction
Based on a chapter called the Final Judgement in Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini’ s book “Piccolo Manuale della Speranza – Vivere con Fiducia il Nostro Tempo” [A Small manual of Hope – Living our lives in Trust]. Giunti Editore S.p.A. Milano, 2012.
All biblical quotations are from ‘The Jerusalem Bible’, Darton, Longman & Todd, London, 1966.
Are you an unbeliever who is curious about what Christians really believe or maybe one who wishes that she/he could be a believer? Are you an agnostic sitting on the fence not daring to commit yourself one way or another? Or, perhaps, you are merely incredulous, not sure that this is not just a lot of mumbo-jumbo. Or maybe you are one of the millions of Christians with a tepid faith curious to know more about what you are supposed to believe in. Whichever type you are, you are unlikely to know enough about the Christian faith to even attempt to make a rational decision. Is it not easier just to let the current of our society carry you like it carries millions of others? Why bother? If you are reading this, something is bothering you. If you want to know more read on.
The Reflections series will consist of ten short articles each of which is intended to cover one of the ten key words of the Christian’s experience. These are the fundamental concepts of Christianity.
These ten words are the load-bearing structure of the Christian faith, about which many other concepts are connected. However, they are used so much that, unfortunately, they run the risk of losing their value, of losing their focus. Hence, even Christians, committed or lukewarm, will benefit from reading them.
The gospel according to Mark is used as the basis on which these ten words are analysed. It is a short gospel, containing only 16 chapters and probably was the first gospel to be written. It is probable that Mark used his gospel to present teachings to persons who were preparing to become Christian. As such, he gives an educative route to Christianity. It is well summarized by Jesus’ words ‘The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parables.’ (Mk 4,11)*. In fact, Mark’s gospel demonstrates how from parables, that is the exterior perspective of the Kingdom, one can penetrate the interior of the mystery.
The words will be analysed in the order in which they are organically connected and in which they should be lived:
Gospel
Conversion
Faith
Baptism
Healing
Cross
God
Son of man
Resurrection
You may notice that an important word for a Christian or for any other believer is not in the list: prayer. But all our reflections will not have a lot of value if they are not accompanied by prayer. Thus, the end of each article will include an extract from the ancient collection of prayers of the Jewish people and of Christians – the psalms.
As a way of introduction here are a selection of lines from Psalm 119[118]**, which express man’s desire to know God. We pray this psalm for help in understanding the fundamentals of Christian life.
Explain to me how to keep your precepts,
that I may meditate on your marvels.
I have treasured your promises in my heart,
since I have no wish to sin against you.
I mean to meditate on your precepts
and to concentrate on your paths.
I find my delight in your statutes,
I do not forget your word.
* Mk 4,11 means Mark, chapter 4, line 11.
** There are 150 psalms, numbered from 1 to 150. Regrettably, the Jewish and Christians numbering systems differ from psalm 9 onwards. This is because some psalms are merged in one system and not in the other. That is why you will see 2 numbers for each quoted psalm with a number higher than 9.