Gaudium et Spes was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 7th, 1965. It was not a dogmatic council, it was and is a Pastoral Constitution. Pope John XXIII wanted it to be pastoral, so the Church to contribute more to the world's problems. In my opinion, it unleashed a new vision for joy and hope for the Catholic Church. A new and different church was beginning to come to shape. "Gone was the defensive, reactionary, and often hostile church of previous centuries. Gone were the threats, reprimands, stern warnings, and cavalcade of anathemas that characterized earlier councils." This church was a church that was wanting to listen more and be less judgmental, a church that wanted to be more supportive, and wanting to fulfill the Mission of
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First," Gaudium et Spes declares that every human being without exception is created in the image of God and is called to know and to love God." (GS, 12) As a living, breathing image of God, the human person has a fundamental and undeniable dignity that can never be taken away, should never be violated, and which others are supposed to respect. Man was created to be holy by God. However, man has set himself apart from God and tried to achieve goals on his own. Sin does many things to us. It breaks up relationships between ourselves and God. Sin also divides our body and soul. It has been said many times by many people, we distinguish the sin from the sinner. Jesus taught us to love everyone. It is something that has become more apparent to me as I continue on in formation. A nursing home placement that really changed my life helped me learn this. An elderly gentleman was talking to me and he was rather rude. I later found out that no one came to visit him on his 90th birthday. His rudeness wasn't directed toward me, distinguish the sin from the sinner. We, as humans, are very social in nature. As the world becomes more and more complex, we have a interdependence on each other more and more. God creates humans to be together. Human community reflects Trinitarian community. We are called to be neighbor to each other: even to forgive our
First," Gaudium et Spes declares that every human being without exception is created in the image of God and is called to know and to love God." (GS, 12) As a living, breathing image of God, the human person has a fundamental and undeniable dignity that can never be taken away, should never be violated, and which others are supposed to respect. Man was created to be holy by God. However, man has set himself apart from God and tried to achieve goals on his own. Sin does many things to us. It breaks up relationships between ourselves and God. Sin also divides our body and soul. It has been said many times by many people, we distinguish the sin from the sinner. Jesus taught us to love everyone. It is something that has become more apparent to me as I continue on in formation. A nursing home placement that really changed my life helped me learn this. An elderly gentleman was talking to me and he was rather rude. I later found out that no one came to visit him on his 90th birthday. His rudeness wasn't directed toward me, distinguish the sin from the sinner. We, as humans, are very social in nature. As the world becomes more and more complex, we have a interdependence on each other more and more. God creates humans to be together. Human community reflects Trinitarian community. We are called to be neighbor to each other: even to forgive our