Conference paper
Ecumenical dimension of liturgical life
Antun Čečatka
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Teologija u Đakovu, Đakovo, Hrvatska
Abstract
The reasons to think and act ecumenically, a Christian does not find only in the preaching of Jesus, or in his prayer full of hope dedicated to the Father (John 17,21), but also in the act Jesus did to redeem and save the world. This act is so lifelike that it looks like a new creation; it is the culmination of God’s revelation. Jesus trusted the Church with his word and his work and sent it to the world to continue his mission with the strength of the Holy Spirit. Announcing the word of God, communicating liturgically the mystery of salvation through the unique sacramental order, the Church evangelises the world. Thus, this announced and communicated salvation makes Church and liturgy universal by nature, makes them missionary and eschatonic. That is why the Church is defined by the sacraments of salvation and communion and why liturgy is the source of its strength and the culmination of all the activities of the Church. Therefore, liturgy cannot be disconnected from the mission of the Church, particularly because the “mission” is the basic characteristic of the very nature of the Church. In their desire to preach the Gospel more efficiently, the divided Christians felt the need for one Church in one and only mission. Salvation communicated liturgically makes liturgy and liturgical life not only missionary, but also, due to the contemporary situation, ecumenical. That is why the Churches in their ecumenical dialogue pay particular attention to the issues related to the same liturgy. Liturgy is that special place where they create the communion of the Church and the ecumenical attitude. This spring well is where Christians can feel the novelty and strength of salvation. It feels them with desire to celebrate Eucharist together – for the salvation of the world.
Keywords
Liturgy; liturgical life; salvation; sacramental order; unity; communion; ecumenism; ecumenical dimension
Hrčak ID:
40195
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2003.
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