One People #2

<Opening Presentation to Interfaith Thanksgiving Service>

As we gather to give thanks in this Interfaith Service, 

It’s clear from the very name

That we’ve made our spiritual homes in different faith communities. 

For many of us the choice was made for us, by our birth into a particular family. 

For all of us, we firmly believe that our own particular faith is the right faith,

Or we would have moved on. 

But we also believe in religious tolerance,

And we believe in loving our brothers and sisters regardless of their religious beliefs

—and even if they have no religious beliefs. 

What I’d like to read for you are excerpts

from a Catholic document regarding different groups within the People of God.

It came out of a worldwide meeting of bishops in 1964—the Second Vatican Council. 

So it is, of course, written from the Catholic perspective.                                                                                                                       

But I think if you reorder the groups according to your own perspective,

You’ll see it’s a good expression of an interfaith spirit

and a hope for a common spiritual home that we can all share.

The document is called Lumen Gentium, Latin for The Light of the Nations.

Its official title is the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church.

And the section I’m quoting from is titled The People of God:

It says:

At all times and in every race

God has given welcome to whosoever [respects] Him 

and does what is right.

God, however, does not make men holy and save them 

merely as individuals,

without bond or link between one another.

Rather has it pleased Him to bring men together as one people,

a people which acknowledges Him in truth 

and serves Him in holiness.

Though there are many nations there is but one people of God,

which takes its citizens from every race,

making them citizens of a kingdom

which is of a heavenly rather than of an earthly nature.   

And there belong to or are related to it in various ways,

the Catholic faithful,

all who believe in Christ,

and indeed the whole of mankind,

for all men are called by the grace of God to salvation.

They are fully incorporated in the society of the Church who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept her entire system 

and all the means of salvation given to her. 

The Church recognizes that in many ways 

she is linked with those who,

being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian,

though they do not profess the faith in its entirety

or do not preserve unity with the [Church of Rome].

They share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits.

We can say that in some real way 

they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit,

for to them too He gives His gifts and graces.

Finally, those who have not yet received the Gospel

are related in various ways to the people of God.

In the first place we must recall the [Jewish] people

to whom the testament and the promises were given

and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh.

[This] people remains most dear to God,

for God does not repent of the gifts He makes 

nor of the calls He issues.

But the plan of salvation also includes 

those who acknowledge the Creator.

In the first place amongst these there are the Mohamedans,

who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham,

along with us adore the one and merciful God.

Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images

seek the unknown God,

for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things,

and as Savior wills that all men be saved.

Those also can attain to salvation who 

through no fault of their own

do not know the Gospel of Christ...,

yet sincerely seek God

and ... strive by their deeds to do His will

as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.

Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, 

have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God 

[yet] strive to live a good life.