Mystagogy and the Church's Understanding of the Subject
What is Mystagogy?
BY
Walter Bradely
When considering the topic of Mystagogy and the Church’s understanding of the subject it is important to recognize the complete picture, the scope of what is covered. Looking quite literally at Mystagogy, and perhaps a common view held by most, it is very simply the final of four stages in the RCIA process of bringing believers into the Church. However, the context of this paper will focus at a more in depth look at the nature of Mystagogy and its essential relationship to the liturgical life of the Church. In doing this I will also show the relationship between Mystagogy and exegesis, the sacraments as mysteries and the vital place of narrationes in Mystagogy. Before an attempt to delve into Mystagogy can begin, we must consider the context and ask ourselves “why” Mystagogy is important at all, what is the goal of Mystagogy, why is it necessary. To understand this goal or the telos, in Greek, I will turn to the very beginning of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “God, infinitely perfect and blessed in Himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life.” It is man at the center of the created world, it is God that begins everything with an act of creation in which He pours Himself out as blessing, and the ending hangs in the balance. Unlike the rest of creation, man, in a serious of moments and choices must decide to return to His creator. These moments, this history from the beginning of time, is referred to as the economy of salvation. At the very center of this economy is Christ Jesus, who fully reveals the Father’s plan of salvation, who is the plan of salvation. He enters into history, so that we may come to share in the Father’s blessing and it is the work of the Holy Spirit that continues to foster the plan of the Father throughout history, still today working in and through the Church. Mystagogy can only make sense in the context of salvation history.
BY
Walter Bradely
When considering the topic of Mystagogy and the Church’s understanding of the subject it is important to recognize the complete picture, the scope of what is covered. Looking quite literally at Mystagogy, and perhaps a common view held by most, it is very simply the final of four stages in the RCIA process of bringing believers into the Church. However, the context of this paper will focus at a more in depth look at the nature of Mystagogy and its essential relationship to the liturgical life of the Church. In doing this I will also show the relationship between Mystagogy and exegesis, the sacraments as mysteries and the vital place of narrationes in Mystagogy. Before an attempt to delve into Mystagogy can begin, we must consider the context and ask ourselves “why” Mystagogy is important at all, what is the goal of Mystagogy, why is it necessary. To understand this goal or the telos, in Greek, I will turn to the very beginning of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “God, infinitely perfect and blessed in Himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life.” It is man at the center of the created world, it is God that begins everything with an act of creation in which He pours Himself out as blessing, and the ending hangs in the balance. Unlike the rest of creation, man, in a serious of moments and choices must decide to return to His creator. These moments, this history from the beginning of time, is referred to as the economy of salvation. At the very center of this economy is Christ Jesus, who fully reveals the Father’s plan of salvation, who is the plan of salvation. He enters into history, so that we may come to share in the Father’s blessing and it is the work of the Holy Spirit that continues to foster the plan of the Father throughout history, still today working in and through the Church. Mystagogy can only make sense in the context of salvation history.
Bibliography: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 1997. John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae (1979), §23, http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul _ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_16101979_catechesi-tradendae_en.html The New American Bible. New York, NY: Catholic Book Publishing Company, 1992. [ 1 ]. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. (Washington: United States Catholic Conference, 1997.), 1. [ 7 ]. CCC, 1082