This is the name we give to the ideas that preceded the preparation of the Cursillos in Christianity Movement, which constitute its fundamental lines of development, and that at the same time explain its emergence.
A TRIUMPHANT CONCEPT OF CHRISTIANITY
That is to say, to have the absolute certainty that Christianity is the solution to all human problems. There is no other name but that of Jesus by whom we may be saved. (Cf. Acts 4:12) St. Paul is the prototype of this view.
Contrasting View: All who believe ourselves to be saviors on our own, or by the use of force, or institutions, or cleverness or any other means; every pessimistic, sad, or bitter view of the problem.
A DYNAMIC VIEW OF CATHOLICISM
a. Not only do we have the answer, we must communicate it.
b. To standstill is to move backward. It is an ascetic vision; the pilgrim’s vision; to move constantly from reality to Ideal; from the person that is to the person that can be.
Contrasting View: Every bourgeois, static, conformist, ineffective attitude.
THE APOSTOLATE IS VIEWED AS A REQUIREMENT OF CHRISTIAN LIFE
Not superabundance, not an organization or a structure, rather a living organism as distant from the bureaucratic armor as it is from the self-sufficient elite.
Contrasting View: Only “X” and “Z” are fit for the Apostolate. All the rest are part of the contemptible masses.
AN UNDERSTANDING OF TODAY’S MEN AND WOMEN
An understanding of the problems and concerns of people today – a lived, experience and not book learned knowledge. It is an understanding grasped from living with the mass to which the leaven of Christ needs to bring life.
Contrasting View: Every class based, or sheltered or speculative type of “Catholicism” (?).
AN ATTITUDE OF DISSATISFACTION
That is forthright, honest, and full of anticipation – a source of ever greater accomplishments. A perpetual openness to improvement. A revision of one’s own methods. (“Nothing is ever so good that it can’t be better”)
Contrasting View: It’s Ok as it is! Don’t complicate things!
A CONVICTION ABOUT THE ANSWER
That it is truly possible for those who live on the periphery of the religious to be floored by grace and to be perfectly able to surrender to Christ – as long as Christ is presented as He truly is, and always taking into consideration their individual freedom. It was a FIRM HOPE that if this experience (of grace) was made real, the same thing would happen as always happens: the Mary Magdalenes and the Zacchaeuses would become Jesus’ most dynamic apostles.
AN EFFORT TO FIND A METHOD
That was concretely feasible, based on apostolic processes, that would take into account the problems and needs of each person so as to solve them at their very root.
THE CONVICTION THAT THE SOLUTION HAD TO BE SIMPLE AND UNIVERSAL
And, consequently, Catholic… In Cursillos one would have to live an effective Catholicity; and, consequently, all types of persons, of every race, class, etc – no matter how distant their respective backgrounds or points of departure – would need to come together in everything that took place in a Cursillo.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you see how these underlying ideas are reflected in what we do and say in Cursillos? If so, give some examples.
2. Do you believe that we sometimes diverge from these foundational ideas of Cursillos? How? What have been the consequences?
1 comment:
It is good that we discuss without expecting all to agree but it is very necessary to clarify and clarify so that we do grow in unity of thought. So with this in mind I wanted to clarify a comment made: A good candidate is qualified as "good" not because they are a "good" Catholic but because they want to be better, thus they are restless or at least curious. So, this doesn't mean we cannot invite active catholics but we do need to ask ourselves why we are inviting them and to do so for the right reasons. This difference in pre-cursillo will make a difference in the quality and direction of our groups and ultreyas in the pos-cursillo.
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