{"product_id":"2940151052313","title":"POPE FRANCIS REFLECTIONS CARITAS","description":"One of the more chilling aspects of this privatization of religion is the separation of religion from not only public or civic life but from social life in general. The result is that the entire social order is now conceived as a secular wasteland into which it is inappropriate to introduce a transcendent value or even a spiritual thought. It would take a separate essay to refute the false assumptions and specious arguments which are used to confuse civic life with social life and religious values with barbarism, an essay which would also explain how the principles of Catholic thought open civic space to all those who follow the natural law. Suffice it to say here that this contemporary privatization of religion is generally effected in the name of freedom, tolerance and mutual respect, watchwords which have proven powerful enough to make even Catholics doubt whether they have a right to apply their religious beliefs in any sort of public manner. This self-doubt is one of the chief obstacles to the expansion of Catholic culture in our time.\u003cbr\u003eBut by enervating Catholic culture, this doubt also saps the richness from all human culture. Therefore, it would be tragic if, having begun by attempting to understand the incarnational nature of Catholic culture, we were to end by confining our culture-forming efforts to the narrow sphere grudgingly accorded to us by a culture which it is our whole point to change. It is, in fact, essential to sweep away all false barriers to the development of authentically Christian culture wherever it tries to blossom. It may be helpful to recall here a common yet highly specific sense of the word \"culture\" as the term is used in reference to the noblest and richest of the human arts: Literature, music, painting, sculpture, architecture, and so much more. Here the incarnational principle ought especially to flower, for it is in the very nature of beauty to open us to the absolute, to transcend the world of mere utility through a sense of wonder, to shift us from the drudgery of rational analysis to the joy of contemplation. The cultural poverty of removing all this from our common life is manifest. \u003cbr\u003eCulture, High and Low\u003cbr\u003eBut on these heights we touch but a fraction of that human experience which is to be penetrated by Christ. All human work, all personal interests, all hobbies, all precious moments of leisure must open out to Christ who is all in all. For example, as faith gradually informs life, we will choose our careers with different ends in view and work partly for the joy of participating with the Creator in the perfection of his world and our gifts. We will treat others as collaborators rather than competitors, as familiar rather than alien. We will begin instinctively to examine whatever interests us for what it reveals about the meaning of life, the law of the gift, and the love of God. We will learn to avoid some interests and pursue others. Not only our home life but our interactions at school, at work, in the community, and even in civic activities will be marked by loftier sentiments, worthier goals, deeper solidarity. \u003cbr\u003eEven in our leisure we will learn to practice the presence of God, not to make of recreation a spiritual exercise, but simply to rest in the love of Christ and take proper joy in all his gifts. None of this should be stilted or forced; it must over time become as natural as breathing, so that once we have mastered it in ourselves, we will communicate it effortlessly to others. And in all that we do, in our spheres of influence, and among those with whom we interact, there will be this difference that helps everyone to see more clearly what is important, to move more easily toward virtue, to repose more fully in the assurance that they are surrounded and supported by caring hearts and willing hands--and, in countless ways, to see in us Christ, and in Christ God.\u003cbr\u003eNone of this means there is no need to plan and to implement those plans, each of us in his own sphere. Of course, those in charge of an association or group will have the greatest influence in creating the corresponding culture. What parents do for their families, teachers can often do in their classrooms, coaches for their teams, and business owners for their companies. But building a positive culture through group members who are not the leaders is also possible if a small nucleus of people can be formed who wish to think and act according to the same principles. Gradually, as all of our smaller associations take on certain cultural characteristics, the larger culture which they in turn shape will be transformed. It is also true that as certain large components of culture are transformed and redirected (major media, for example), the culture of small associations and families will often change.","brand":"M.M.Snyder","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47112759542000,"sku":"2940151052313","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940151052313_p0.jpg?v=1763757681","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940151052313","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}