There Heaven Opens. Marian Dimension of Theology and the Art of Christian Life According to Joseph Ratzinger - Benedict XVI
Abstract
J. Ratzinger – Benedict XVI convinces about an essential role Mariology plays for Christian theology, spirituality and existence. In reply to academic tendencies to marginalize Mariology, among others, because of the shape it takes in folk piety, he shows analogy between Maria-Christ-Church relationship and Mariology-Christology-Ecclesiology relationship. Starting from specific biblical, redemptive events, in which Maria participated through Grace and in which she committed herself voluntarily, he proves that Mariology protects the height of faith, Bible integrity, essence of the Church, true good of men, as a man and a woman, over the centuries – since the times of first doctrinal disputes until the most contemporary civilisation and theological dilemmas. Catholic faith and piety owe the balance between rationality and feelings to Maria and Her heart constitutes the very centre of Ratzinger’s Mariology. Hence learning Maria’s feelings – Her pure cordiality – is a Christian way, on which blessing from the Sermon on the Mount and its promise: looking at God, come true.
Keywords:
Mariology, Christology, Ecclesiology, faith and mind, cordiality, Christocentrism, piety, Marian dogmasLicense
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
