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Joseph Ratzinger Collected Works: Theology of the Liturgy
Product Code: 9781586175955
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Product Description
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The writings of Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI) on the theology of the Church's liturgy, a subject that was of paramount importance to him as a theologian, professor, and spiritual author, are collected in this significant volume. It compiles all of his writings—short and long—on the subject and presents his opinions on issues and questions related to liturgy from a range of vantage points over a long period of time.
Although it is classified as vol. 11, he decided to publish his essays on the Liturgy in the first volume of his collected works because, as he states in the Introduction: "The liturgy of the Church has been for me since my childhood the central reality of my life, and it became the center of my theological efforts. I chose fundamental theology as my field because I wanted first and foremost to examine thoroughly the question: Why do we believe? But also included from the beginning in this question was the other question of the right response to God and, thus, the question of the liturgy."
Ratzinger wants to emphasise God's centrality and the absolute precedence of the topic of God by beginning with the theme of liturgy in this volume. He claimed that starting with a focus on the liturgy teaches us that "God is first." He uses the Rule of St. Benedict's statement that "Nothing is to be preferred to the liturgy" to set priorities for the life of the Church and each person. According to him, a man who starts to comprehend himself correctly will ask themselves, "How must I face God?" The gift that the faith bestows upon us is thus learning how to worship in the proper manner.
Although it is classified as vol. 11, he decided to publish his essays on the Liturgy in the first volume of his collected works because, as he states in the Introduction: "The liturgy of the Church has been for me since my childhood the central reality of my life, and it became the center of my theological efforts. I chose fundamental theology as my field because I wanted first and foremost to examine thoroughly the question: Why do we believe? But also included from the beginning in this question was the other question of the right response to God and, thus, the question of the liturgy."
Ratzinger wants to emphasise God's centrality and the absolute precedence of the topic of God by beginning with the theme of liturgy in this volume. He claimed that starting with a focus on the liturgy teaches us that "God is first." He uses the Rule of St. Benedict's statement that "Nothing is to be preferred to the liturgy" to set priorities for the life of the Church and each person. According to him, a man who starts to comprehend himself correctly will ask themselves, "How must I face God?" The gift that the faith bestows upon us is thus learning how to worship in the proper manner.
He depicts the liturgy's greater context in three concentric circles, which is the main goal of his writings on the liturgy. First, there is the inherent tie between the Old and New Testaments; the Christian liturgy cannot be understood without reference to its Old Testament heritage. The relationship to many world faiths is the subject of the second circle. The third circle represents the cosmic nature of the liturgy, which is more than just a gathering of a group of individuals. The liturgy is observed across the cosmos, simultaneously embracing creation and history.
Hardcover, 660 Pages
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