Verbum Vitae

Poetical Postmodern Exegesis: Paul Ricoeur and Olivier-Thomas Venard in Dialogue

2025-02-26T12:57:53+01:00

In a postmodern linguistic turn, Paul Ricoeur pays great attention to the subject and the Biblical text itself. This helpfully presents a very pristine text, one which can move and re-create the subject who encounters the text with humility. However, when it comes to Biblical exegesis specifically, Ricoeur’s method is immanentist, a historical, and unhelpfully rejects any interpretive authority. Olivier-Thomas Venard, like Ricoeur, pays great attention to the sign-character of the Bible’s language, but offers a more holistic exegesis which takes the Bible on its own terms and is metaphysically and historically grounded. In this article, I first lay out Ricoeur’s poetical exegetical project and offer interpretive and metaphysical critiques; specifically, I contend that his “distanciated” reading of the Bible and his rejection of authority fail to interpret the Bible on its own terms. I then turn to Venard, who sympathizes with Ricoeur’s subjective and linguistic turn while remaining grounded in interpretive authority, history, and providence, offering what Matthew Levering calls a “participatory exegesis.”

Freedom as a Polyphonic Concept in the "vota" for the Second Vatican Council

2025-02-18T13:17:56+01:00

This article explores the multifaceted nature of freedom that emerges from the various vota sent from around the world in the antepreparatory phase of the Second Vatican Council. The voices of bishops and institutions, each with their unique perspective, are structured into five categories. The first is the foundations and sources of freedom often presented in a polemical aspect. The second category is the issue of free will and freedom of conscience. The third concerns freedom within the Catholic Church. The fourth issue considered is freedom in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. The last reflection explores freedom in the area of state governance and its relationship with the Church. The whole is concluded by detailing the tensions in the positions cited above, with a commentary that demonstrates the topicality of the issue addressed.

The Maximian Perspective on Paul: A Reconstruction of the “Works of the Law” in Maximus the Confessor

2025-03-06T08:25:55+01:00

In Paul’s “Works of the Law” in the Perspective of Second-Century Reception, Matthew J. Thomas argues that the “Early Perspective on Paul” (EPP) resembles the New Perspective on Paul (NPP) more closely than the Old Perspective on Paul (OPP). Thomas’ conclusion is based on three questions that he poses to the second-century sources; namely, what the works of the law are, what their purpose is, and why are they not necessary to Christians. This article applies Thomas’ question to the most important exegetical works of one of the greatest Byzantine theologians, Maximus the Confessor, and constructs the “Maximian Perspective on Paul.” Maximus’ perspective on Paul is largely similar to Thomas’ reconstruction of the EPP. Interestingly, however, in contrast to the NPP and the EPP, Maximus’ understanding of the works of the law resembles the OPP, since the “works of the law” can refer to all outward works, not just some of the precepts of the Mosaic law.

The Culmination of the “Royal Travesty” in the Poetic Imagery of Solomon’s Wedding Procession (Song 3:6–11)

2025-02-18T13:17:47+01:00

The description of the wedding procession in Song 3:6–11 is distinguished by the culmination of royal features and its climax in the cyclical poetic development of the theme of the king. It is also the only direct reference to weddings in the Song of Songs. Therefore, the following question has been asked about the content of the culmination of royal metaphors in 3:6–11: What is the relationship between the meaning of the pericope and the wisdom conclusion of the entire Canticle (8:5–7)? The article begins with the cultural context (Sitz im Leben) of weddings, and then arguments are presented in favour of the interpretation of pericope 3:6–11 as a poetic vision of a wedding procession. The literary device of the royal travesty and its use in the Song of Songs (form criticism) are explained. The basic exegetical analysis is preceded by an analysis of the composition of the pericope. It leads to the conclusion that there is a compositional relationship between the pericope under study 3:6–11 and the punch line of Canticle 8:5–7. They reflect the steps in the progression of the message within the cyclical development of its content, so characteristic for the Song of Songs. The study ends with an intertextual analysis of the studied pericope 3:6–11 and the wisdom conclusion of Canticle 8:5–7. A deeper analysis results in the conclusion that the royal travesty of the wedding procession serves as something more than the praise of the nuptials themselves. The bridegroom’s royal travesty is an attempt at a human response to the experienced mystery of the power and splendour of love (mysterium fascinosum) between the bride and bridegroom. The compositional relationship between the pericopes makes it possible to interpret and justify the words of the punch line of Canticle 8:6 as a call to a commitment and oath of nuptial love.

Eucharistic Theology as a Condition of Eucharistic Revival According to John Paul II and Benedict XVI

2025-02-18T13:17:49+01:00

The answer to the question of whether the Eucharistic theology of John Paul II and Benedict XVI in its selected aspects can constitute the foundation for the Eucharistic renewal of the Church is absolutely affirmative. This is proven by the depth of their theology, which consists in linking the Eucharist to the most important theological issues. An analysis of the teachings of John Paul II and Benedict XVI confirms the thesis put forward in the introduction to this paper that the Eucharist is one of the most important theological topics. The renewal and revival of Eucharistic life cannot consist only of pastoral activity, but in the constant discovery of the theological depth of this sacrament and the delight of its richness. Only such a deeply theological vision of the Eucharist can protect it from being made shallow and marginalized. John Paul II presents the Eucharist as: (1 ) the place where God humbles Himself to such an extent that His Majesty is hidden, and the reason for this is love; (2) the place of Christ’s loving us “to the end,” where He unites Himself to us, where the spousal nature of Christ’s body transforms our bodies into His image; and (3) the place of revelation of God to man and of man to man. Benedict XVI presents the Eucharist as: (1) the principle and place of action of the Divine Logos, who was the principle and model of the creation of the world and of man, who took on flesh and became man and began anew the original relationship of creation with its Creator through obedience, and who now continues to transform the world through the Eucharist, transforming the human heart into His own image; (2) the place of action of the Logos and the worship of God by us joined to the Logos and in the image of the Logos; (3) the place of transforming our eros love (love of desire, passion, a climbing) for God and neighbor into agape love, that is, making the gift of self.

Errors in Preaching the Word of God in the Optics of the Catholic Church and Evangelical Communities

2025-03-28T20:24:36+01:00

The article presents and analyzes the errors in preaching God's word, focusing on two homiletic traditions: the Catholic and Evangelical. The purpose of the paper is to organize knowledge about these errors and conduct a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in approaches to preaching God's word. The author employs literature analysis and comparative methods to answer the question of what errors are most commonly made in both traditions and whether they have common sources. The first part of the article will present errors in homily preaching, attempting to view these errors within the context of Catholic homiletics. The second part will discuss errors in expository preaching, which is primarily the domain of evangelical communities. The third part of the article will attempt to analyze and compare the differences and similarities of the presented preaching errors. The work shows that Catholic homilies are strongly tied to Tradition and liturgy, while Evangelical sermons focus on the direct application of Scripture and personal experience of faith. A better understanding of these differences and a more precise approach to preaching can help minimize errors and raise the quality of preaching in both traditions.

Massimo Pazzini, Grammatica siriaca (Analecta 46. Milano: Terra Sancta Edizioni, 2022)

2025-01-09T19:11:00+01:00

Book review: Massimo Pazzini, Grammatica siriaca (Analecta 46. Milano: Terra Sancta Edizioni, 2022). Pp. 191. 35 EUR. ISBN 979-12-5471-135-4.

Introduction to the Hispanic-Mozarabic Rite

2025-03-28T20:24:28+01:00

The article presents the most important information on the Hispanic-Mozarabic rite, and in this sense it is an introduction to this liturgical tradition and an editorial of the volume of the journal “Verbum Vitae,” which is dedicated to the Spanish Church’s own liturgy. The article is divided into two main parts. The first is a synthetic history of the formation and development of the Hispanic-Mozarabic rite. In this regard, various definitions of this rite that can be encountered in the literature on the subject are also explained. Since the characteristic features of a particular rite are best learned by reference to the sacrament of the Eucharist, the second part is a presentation of and commentary on the ordo missae of the Missale Hispano-Mozarabicum currently in force.

The History of the Liturgical Use of the "Professio fidei" in the Hispanic Mass

2025-03-28T20:24:25+01:00

The Hispanic Mass was the first among all Western liturgical traditions to welcome the Symbol of Faith within the ritual sequence. The Professio fidei, still present in the rite of the Hispanic-Mozarabic Mass, renewed after the Second Vatican Council, is characterized not only by the retention of the plural at the beginning (Credimus in place of Credo known in the Roman rite), corresponding to the conciliar text, but also by its specific ritual placement, before the prayer of the Our Father. The present contribution, beginning with a critical study of the sources, offers a historical look at the genesis and development of the liturgical use of the Symbol of Faith in the Hispanic Mass. Based on the insights of the methods of comparative liturgy it also intends to offer a broader context of the process of the evolution of liturgical rites. The study conducted with scientific criteria was also able to challenge, among other things, the idea of the ordinary presence of the Professio fidei in the history of the Hispanic Mass from the time of its appearance toward the end of the 6th century.

The Spanish-Mozarabic Sanctorale. Sources for Its Study

2025-02-26T12:57:51+01:00

The study of the cycle of saints in liturgical books sheds light on the evolution of the cult of the saints in a given rite or Church. Through such a study, we can trace the theological and historical evolution of the calendar of saints. This article aims to systematically present the sources of the liturgy of the Spanish-Mozarabic rite, which will be useful for later research on the calendar of saints. It is divided into two parts: manuscripts and printed sources. This covers the entire timeline of liturgical books and presents all sources of the A and B traditions of the Office and the Mass, including the liturgical calendars. The manuscripts date from the late 7th or early 8th century to the 12th century, and the printed sources date from 1500 to the present day. The lack of records from the early years of Christianity makes studying the cycle of saints difficult. Of course, the Churches of the Iberian Peninsula celebrated the feasts of the saints before the eighth century, but no liturgical records survived. Most sources date from the 10th to 12th centuries, a time when the Spanish liturgy’s calendar of saints took shape and the number of feast days of saints venerated by other Churches significantly increased. With the publishing of the Missal and the Breviary by Cardinal Cisneros, the feast days of saints originating from Roman sources were added to the calendar.

Characteristics of Fasting in the Euchology of the Paschal Preparation Period in the 1991 "Hispanic-Mozarabic Missal"

2025-03-06T09:15:47+01:00

The author of this article aims to show the characteristics of the Paschal preparation period of the Hispanic-Mozarabic rite, especially with regard to the practice of abstinence from meat and fasting. To this end, the history of the formation of this liturgical period in the first millennium is presented and the characteristic features of Lent in the Spanish tradition which are partially shared with other liturgical traditions of both the West and the East. The unique theology of the Lenten period of preparation for Pascha in the Visigothic tradition was also influenced by the theology of St. Isidore of Seville, which left its mark on Spanish Mass euchology. At the heart of the article, then, is the presentation of the theology of fasting that stems from an analysis of the Lenten orations of the Missale Hispano-Mozarabicum. The 40-day fast, following the example of the fasts of Moses, Elijah and Jesus himself, is understood in the Spanish rite as a sacrifice offered to God and intercession for the living and the dead, as a remedy for sins and an effective means of spiritual warfare against the Devil, as an instrument of our sanctification and preparation for Pascha, or, finally, as the opposite of Adam’s and Eve’s Edenic sin of gluttony and failure to fast. The period of quadragesimae and abstinence during this time is a tithe of the entire year that every Christian should offer to God.

Unity in Diversity: The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Roman and Hispano-Mozarabic Liturgies

2025-03-28T20:24:34+01:00

The article addresses the historical-theological formation of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in two liturgical traditions: Roman and Hispano-Mozarabic. The analysis focuses on the origins of the feast, its evolution, and the specific characteristics of the liturgical texts associated with this celebration in both rites. The structure of the study includes an introduction, two main sections, and conclusions. The first part is devoted to the history of the feast and the analysis of contemporary liturgical texts in the Roman rite. The second part addresses analogous issues in the Hispano-Mozarabic rite. The conclusions provide a comparison of the two traditions, highlighting both common theological themes and differences arising from distinct liturgical emphases. The analysis employs an analytical method, focusing solely on the missal texts of both rites, excluding biblical readings and breviary texts. The key materials were studies compiling existing literature on the subject. The main conclusion indicates that the Roman and Hispano-Mozarabic liturgies express the same truth of faith and its central theological themes, albeit with slightly different emphases. The theological unity, alongside liturgical diversity, underscores the richness of the Church and its capacity to integrate traditions that mutually enrich one another.

The Celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Hispanic Tradition

2025-03-28T20:24:31+01:00

This paper aims to offer a diachronic view of the celebration of Marriage in the territory of ancient Roman Hispania, coinciding with the Iberian Peninsula. From pre-Roman times to the present day, focusing, in particular, on the evolution of these rites from Christianization to the rituals in force today. Emphasizing the origin, formation/codification and survival of the tradition of what is now known as the Hispano-Mozarabic Rite. As can be seen from the chapter titles of this work, a chronological analysis of the development of the institution of marriage in the territory of the Iberian Peninsula has been followed. At the same time, whenever possible, some synchronous comparisons have been made between the Roman rite and the Hispano-Mozarabic rite. The methodology combines reference to specialized studies, with regard to the tradition of marriage in the peoples of pre-Roman and Roman Hispania; and for the entire Christian period, direct recourse to successive liturgical sources, without forgetting reference to some specialized studies on this period. Particular note is taken of the importance of the Roman-pagan rites and the process of Christian inculturation involving them and their maintenance, even within the Roman liturgy, to the present day. Thus confirmed is the conviction implied in these rites and texts concerning the origin of matrimony in the creation and its continuity and perfection when Christ raised it to the status of a sacrament, which appears to be deeply grounded in theology and involving the ecclesial community as a whole. At the same time, the insistence on the acknowledgement of common dignity between husband and wife within marriage stands out.

Blessings in the Hispanic-Mozarabic Rite and Its Theological Significance

2025-02-18T13:17:54+01:00

The article examines the manner of celebration and the theological significance of blessings in the Spanish-Mozarabic rite, situating them within both historical and systematic contexts. It highlights the presence of numerous blessing rites in the Liber Ordinum, which articulate a request to subordinate human activities and situations to God’s power, invoking God’s blessing. Theologically, as articulated by Thomas Aquinas, this blessing represents a ‘multiplication’ of good in specific human situations. Additionally, the blessings contain elements of exorcism, which serve to liberate individuals from the influence of evil spirits. To elucidate the theological significance of these blessings, the article first analyzes the scope of blessings in the Liber Ordinum. It then explores the meaning of the blessing within the Mass, particularly the blessing given before the reception of Holy Communion and its connection to the sacrament. Finally, the article delineates the main theological ideas present in the prayers of the blessings in the Spanish rite.

Biography of St. Julian of Toledo (642–690) in the Light of a Critical Analysis of Sources

2025-02-18T13:17:51+01:00

In the case of Julian of Toledo, the Polish patristic bibliography confirms the existing trend in world patrology, namely the lack of any major interest both in the person of the author and in his work. Therefore, it seemed justified that a critical biography of the Bishop of Toledo should be written. The present study, after discussing the written sources and the state of research on Julian of Toledo, attempts, on their basis, to historically reconstruct his biography, highlighting two issues in particular: Julian’s Jewish origins and his probable involvement in the conspiracy against King Wamba. An analysis of 7th- and 8th-century sources on Julian of Toledo shows that his liturgical, canonical, and theological work confirms the validity of his royal appointments as bishop and archbishop of the Visigoth capital. Significant for the Church of the time were Bishop Julian’s initiatives to unify local Visigothic-Spanish liturgical rites, to codify canon law for the Visigothic Church, or to create a textbook lecture on purgatory. However, his participation in the conspiracy against King Wamba or in the creation of anti-Jewish legislation under King Erwig remains a matter that is difficult to assess.