INTRODUCTION
Vatican council has formulated 16 documents, ‘Dogmatic
constitution on church or Lumen Gentium is the one of them. The term
Lumen Gentium Derived from the Latin Text, Lumen means the light and Gentium
means the world. It is Jesus who is the Light of the World. This light shines
through the church in the world. Whoever the light of Jesus or saving grace he
becomes the member of the body of Christ the church that seeks for heavenly
glory through her earthly life.
CHAPTER ONE
THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH
The word ‘Mystery’
is derived from Latin, which means incapable of comprehensive or that cannot be
understood fully. Church is mystery through which God revealed him self and has
been revealing. God was incarnated into the universal church, he revealed
himself in through Christ who brought salvation by the act of passion, death
and resurrection. And Christ became the foundation stone of the church. It is
now and then realized through the mystery of the church.
1. The sacred council describe ‘church’,
as the sacrament of Christ. Sacrament is the external, visible instrumentality
of Christ- presence in the church. Sacrament is in the nature of Christ. Who is
present everywhere as ‘light’. He said, “I ‘m the light of the world. And this
very sentence of Christ, affirms the grace of God, from no one is exempted. It
binds the humanity is one spirit in one faith as one community, where divine
trine God share his love to the humanity.
2.
God, the eternal Father in his wisdom and goodness created human beings
in order to share his divinity. But unfortunately, due to first fall of Adam,
all went is vain. Finally, God sent his only son Jesus Christ who was visible
image of invisible God; through him salvation was brought to this earth, to the
whole human beings.
3.
Work of His Son Jesus, the most important task or mission was to do the
‘WILL’ of the Father, and to establish the kingdom of God here on earth. Today
kingdom is founded here on earth through the act of passion, death and
resurrection of Christ. Therefore Christ himself is the Kingdome and kingdom is
the earthly church where all people live and share the fellowship, brotherhood
in the light of common faith, and faith in Christ in the church.
4
the work of the Holy Spirit as the work of redemption to the humanity
was accomplished through the Christ event, Christ sent the Holy Spirit who
would continue the work or the mission of Christ to sanctify the humanity in
order to draw towards the eternal God. And it is the same spirit who dwelt in
the church, in the heart of the faithful. So it enables every one who believes
in Christ, like Christ himself.
5.
Jesus preaching about the kingdom of God art-4 set forth that Christ
himself is the kingdom of God. He says, “I am the way, I ‘m the truth, I ‘m
light of the world”. He brought the kingdom here on earth. He preached the
kingdom lived in the kingdom. And that is the good news for all, which is
promise generation to generation in the scripture. Often stressed by Jesus
‘kingdom of God is at hand”. It is clear to say that Jesus himself is kingdom
and it is realised here on earth. Today it is seen in the form of salvation,
liberation of the oppressed and sufferers, by the various reasons.
6.
The nature of the kingdom is
often understood in the forms of symbols. Such as, church is a sheepfold as a
flock, as the good shepherd. It ‘s also compared with spouse relation as the
bride and bridegroom. The stone, which was rejected by the builders, became the
corner stone of the house. Jesus himself is the corner stone of the church,
without him today church has no existence. Vine and the branches, it has a
organic relationship. Thus the church and Christ has intimate relationship and
Christ is always in act
7.
The body of Christ body of Christ is the incarnated body of invisible
God, revealed to the believers. He lived as one among us. He died and was
buried but he was resurrected, to glorify the lord. Same body instated the
Eucharist where we share the real body and blood of Christ in the form of bread
and wine in the church. All the believers partake of it and thus become the
members of the church.
CHAPTER TWO
THE PEOPLE
OF GOD
Term ‘people of God’ denotes the whole church. QUAHAL the term is derived from Greek word
which means the ‘ the assembly of the faithful. It is the place of worship to
God. They gathered in order to worship and venerate God. It is expression of
thanksgiving for the gift that is received from God. To day we gather in the
church where we express our gratitude towards the creator collectively.
9. In the Old Testament Israelites were chosen
as the ‘people of God’. At that time God appeared in different forms like
thunder, lightning’s, clouds, fire, and also his presence was found in the
mountain or high places. God made covenant the ‘you will be my people and I
will your guide’. God will take care of them. All these took place because god
wanted to ratify the people, and at the same time wanted to reveal himself
fully as human person, who is known as messiah. He became the head of
the people, and founded church. It was the assembly of the people where god
dwelt in the past, present and in the future.
10. In
modern age church is considered as the new Israel of God and Christ is the
head this people. Today through the royal priesthood Christ is present in the
church that enjoys the priesthood of Christ. And it is possible through the
sacrament of the church.
11. The organic character of church as any
organism has the nature to grow; similarly the church is also ever growing,
dynamic, changing. Many people are incorporated into the church by the help of
sacrament. All the more, Christ is alive in the Eucharist who is celebrated
everyday.
12.
Prophetic office of Christ it is the Christ-office that bears witness to
people. It teaches and gives instructions with regard to the teaching of the
church very special way with regard to safeguarding of the faith and morals. It
also includes all the charism and sacraments by which church is sanctified
every day.
13. All people are belong to God Christ came to
this world to save the whole humanity and not any particular community.
Therefore Christ invites to all to take part in his Kingdom; the Kingdom of
God. No one is alienated from God’s love that all people become body of Christ.
14. Fullness of incorporation all is
incorporate in body of Christ through baptism that all are brothers and sisters
in Christ. We become the witness of Christ in the church and world. Christ the
life incorporation is fostered and nourished through the faith in church.
15. Separated Christians are those hold sacred
scripture, a sincere religious zeal, believe in God the Father almighty and in
Christ, the son of God and the saviour, who sealed by baptism which unites the
to Christ and who indeed recognises and receive other sacraments in their own
church.
16. None Christians they are the Jews and
Muslims hold the faith of Abraham, they believe in one God. Truth and goodness
is found in all religion that is the means of salvation.
17. The universal mission
and evangelisation in accordance with Father’s plan Christ come to
save the mankind that Jesus is the way and truth through whom all will be
united in the Fathers House eternally. Jesus continues this work through his
disciples.
CHAPTER THREE
THE CHURCH
HIERARCHICHAL
18. Office of Christ this article speaks about
the Pope, Bishops, Priest, Deacons who all are the structured, disciplined for
shepherding to the people of God. In general they are the successor of Peter,
successor of Christ. They fulfil the mission of Christ. They are all linked
like pipe line theory by the Christ faith.
19 the apostolic college Jesus chose twelve
disciples for the specific purpose and Peter was head. Christ commanded them to
continue his mission that is to preach good news of God.
20. Bishops are called as the successor of the
apostles, Jesus appointed 12 apostles and founded his church and 72 members
were the co-workers of his mission. So the bishop’s put on Christ as apostles
did. And it is known as Episcopal college.
21. Bishops, Priests and Deacons are chosen by
God or called by God for it specific mission. Through them Christ is present
externally in the midst of the people. Though Christ is present invisibly
everywhere but it is more effective. Through them Jesus speaks as in the Old
Testament God spoke through the prophet. They interpreted and transmitted the
given word to the people.
22 relation among the authorities this article
describes that the Pope the successor of Per and Vicar of Christ. Bishops the
successor of Apostles all are united and related to each other. Roman Pontiff
is the head of the teaching authority and bishops are the legitimate body of
collegial body.
23. Collegiate unity of bishops, under the
leadership of Pope who is the successor of Peter, all bishops are responsible
for their respective diocese as well as the universal church. So they are the
foundation parts of the body, are united with Head. The y are completely
responsible for missionary act, for spreading of the good news of Christ an for
teaching of the ecclesiology.
24. The speciality of bishops, they are the successor
of Apostles, and vested with charism of preaching, teaching and bringing
salvation to the human kind.
25. Functions of the Bishop’s, to safe guard
the faith and morals act. Spreading of the gospel and to make know about Christ
to the gentiles, non- Christian in the act of charity and in the service and
they are the most chosen one today.
26-27. The Pope is the supreme authority of the
Catholic Church who enjoys the maximum power. Still then as the Vicar of Christ
the bishops are free to exercise the power in accordance with Christ will, for
spiritual upliftment. After all Christ is the final and ultimate source and
summit of life.
28. The priest hood the duty of a priest is to
preach the gospel, sanctify the church through the sacrament s and shepherd the
people of God. Priests are the co-workers of the bishops who share equal
responsibilities.
29. The
deacons are ordained for minister, but not for priesthood. A deacon is to
administer of the sacrament of baptism. Deacon which means the servant, to
serve, in the spiritual needs. Since, there is sanctifying of priests all over
the world, the vat-II council decided to restore the permanent deacons.
Therefore wherever there are not enough priests to serve the faithful it is not
ideal to have permanent deacon.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE LAITY
The term ‘laity’ has derived from the Greek word ‘Qsaos’
which means the mass, distinguishing from the leaders of the church and of the
people. And so, we may mean the laity as the layman, who is not in the
religious orders, who is not ordained.
30. Lay man is one who is baptised and communion with
the church. Laity is also called the faithful.
31. What we mean by laity? Through the baptism,
all baptised people receive a share in priestly, prophetic, and kingly office
of Christ. Laity are the world, in the place of activity of their own. They
have to sanctify themselves through the practice of gospel value.
32.their ecclesial character in the church,
there is a unity and solidarity among all. All the together, laity, religious
and priests work together for the common good and evangelisation. However, they
do in their own respective way.
33. Their apostolate work the apostolate work
is to continue the mission of salvation and built up the church,. They receive
this power through the sacrament of baptism and confirmation. They have to
bring the good news to the places where they live and work. They have to bear
witness to Christ to become the light of Christ.
34. The laity share in the priesthood of Christ
by offering his own life as a witness of Jesus Christ layman has to offered
spiritual sacrifice because his life demands a self denial and even heroic acts
of faith. All spiritual sacrifice is offered to God through the celebration of
Eucharistic sacrifices.
35. The laity share the prophetic character the
laity has also the right to preach the good news in their respective ways. They
have to give Christian formula as to their children at home also through their
own life style. They have to instruct in the light of Christian faith.
36. The laity shares the kingly character of Christ
it makes to guide every body to good path, in Jesus Christ. The main work of
kingly office is to shepherd the flock.
37. Laity co-operates with clergy this speaks
about co-operation between laity and clergy.
38. as whole laity has also the important role to play
the church, individually as well as collectively.
CHAPTER FIVE
CALL TO HOLINESS
39
the church is holy with holiness of Christ the church which is the body and
spouse of Jesus Christ is unceasingly holy. The reason is because the church is
the gift of the holy trinity for the humanity. In other words, God the Father
the son and the Holy Spirit made the church out of infinite love of the holy
trinity for the human beings. The Son of God who became the son of man as our
savour, made the church loved her as his spouse and his body.
40.
All are called to holiness in the church all are called or invited to be
holy and holiness consists obedience to God and practice of charity.
41.
Sanctification of life there is no particular class of people in the church
who are called for a higher perfection of sanctity. All are equal and all are
called to reach perfection sanctity, not matter whether they are the laity,
clergy, and the religious.
42.
The love is the heart of holiness consists in the practice of charity as
Jesus loved us, should love one another.
CHAPTER SIX
RELIGIOUS LIFE
43. Religious
life religious life is a particular vocation or special call to a man. The
religious are invited by God to follow Jesus Christ who is chest and obedient
so the vows and the practice of evangelical council of chastity, poverty,
obedience as well as a life in the community are the characteristics of the
religious life.
44.
The reason to choice for this life those who have decided to give
their live s for the service of God, has to practice these three evangelical
vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. He consecrates himself to god heave
unity and solidarity on Jesus. As st Paul says “we are one body of Christ, same
body of Christ.”
45. In relation to the authority
hierarchical authority have the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and
obedience by they do not profess as religious do and make vows. They too are
obedient to bishops and communion with pope.
46. In relation to human society when
a person accepts the evangelical counsels willingly, contributes in no small
degree to the purification of the heart and to spiritual freedom. This is a
vocation freely offered, a free gift to accept or reject. Who ever accept it
willingly, they have the power t o confirm the Christian life more fully to
that kind of poor and virgin life, which Christ the lord himself lived and his
virgin mother embraced.
47. Since we are called by God to
profess the council’s let’s make ourselves holy so that we may work for the
sanctification increase of the holiness of the church, to the greater glory of
the one and undivided trinity, which in Christ and through Christ, is the source
and origin of all holiness.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
THE
PILGRIME CHURCH
48. The
on going journey of the church the church is moving towards God. In this
journey the Holy Spirit and Christ himself guide her. The glory of the church
is in the eschatological type. Church is the fullness of our communion with
God.
49.
Death and transformation being present in the church, Jesus works invisibly
through the Holy Spirit the journey of the individual with his death. Death is
the end of earthly life, that which accounts for the next life, that is the
life of perfection, that is the transformed life.
50. Communion
with the church by nature human beings is looking for the ultimate truths.
Jesus says, “I am truth.” all believers of Christ believe in the second coming
of Jesus. In fact, we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and His spirit
is leading us the eschatological church where all will glorify lords name. But
in and through the sacrament Jesus Christ is realized. We experience fellowship
communion with one another. There fore pilgrim church is established here on
earth.
51. Veneration
of saints this sacred council accepts the venerable faith of our ancestors
in the living communion, they exist between us, and our brothers who are in the
glory of heaven.
CONCLUSION
As a whole the Document on ‘Dogmatic Constitution of
the Church’ or LUMENGENTIUM gives deep insight and profound meaning of
the church. Church has become the part and partial of all human beings directly
or indirectly. Church is the means to salvation, because church is the
sacrament of Christ that which leads and helps in search of ultimate truth, who
is God alone Himself.
Thus this document gives the nature
and quality of the church, and models of the church in the present world.
Church is defined as a mystery, people of God, called to holiness, hierarchical
structure, the laity and the formation of the eschatological church.
Often these are overly emphasised
only on spiritual aspect and specially centred on the church alone rather than
dealing with other religion. Over all church is a best organisation ever exists
in the world. This document has been not only of the of pope, bishops and
religious alone but the people of God.
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