NotesonGaudiumetSpes110

1.Thejoyandpainsofmentoday(especiallythepoor)reflectthoseofChrist.Unitedin
Christ,menareledbytheHolySpiritontheirwaytotheKingdomoftheirFather.
2.ThesecondVaticanCouncildoesnotonlyshinethelightofGodonclergymen,buton
allofhumanityequally.Theyfocusontheworld,whichissustainedbyitsMakers
love.Althoughitwasdamagedwithevilandsin,ChristwasourSaviorandGodhas
intentionsforhisworld.
3.Manasksanxiouslyabouthisworld,role,meaninganddestiny.VaticanIIsfocusis
manhimself,wholeandentire,bodyandsoul,heartandconscience,mindandwill.All
menaregiventhisultimatedestinybyGod.
4.TheChurchinterpretsthecurrenthappeningsinthelightoftheGospel.Therearerapid
changeshappeningatthistime.Thereareevolutionsintechnologyandabundancesin
wealth.Thesetransformationsaffectthereligiousaspectsofpeoplelivesastheyaffect
mansmindandcertainty.
5.Theglobalizationofmanisunitingmensothattherearenolongermanydistinctive
differencesbetweengroups.Astheresearchofmanexpands,sodoeshumanintellect.
6.Industrialsocietyisspreading.Newmediaismoreeffectiveinsocially
communicating.Moreofmanismigrating.Theyaremovingtowardsamorematureand
lesspersonalexcerciseofliberty.
7.Changesinhumanattitudemaketheyouthmorerebellious.Thismakesitmore
difficultforparentsandeducatorstoperformtheirtasks.Itisalsoaffectingreligion,asit
isstrengthenedinsomepeopleslivesandweakenedinothers.
8.Thereisagrowingimbalancebetweenintellectandatheoreticalwayofmind.
9.Humanityneedstoestablishpolitical,socialandeconomicordersthatwillserve
peopleandhelpthemtodevelop.Nationsstrugglefromtheunequaldistributionof
wealthintheworld.Humanityhasreleasedungodlyforcesandisbecomingawareofthis
andoftheneedtocontrolthem.
10.Manisoftentornwithinhimselfduetothemanyfactorsthatpullhimindifferent
directionsinternally.Heisasinfulbeingsohedoesnotalwaysmakethemoralchoice.
Manypeopleoftheworldareblindedfromthetruthbecausetheythinkhappiness
comesfrommaterialsandhumaneffortentirely.
Manisbeginningtoquestiontheobvious.
ThroughGodandChristmancanbebothsavedandgivenagoal.TheChurchrecognizes
thatChristdoesnotchangeasmandoes,andmanyrealitieshavefoundationsinHim.

NotesonOptionalReading:GaugiumetSpesChapterIITheProperDevelopmentof
Culture:Section 1: The Circumstances of Culture in the World Today (#54-56)
54. The circumstances of the life in todays times have changed dramatically, resulting
in new age of human history. There has been an enormous growth of natural, human
and social sciences, by technical progress, and advances in technology. New ways of

thinking are born. This expresses unity but still preserves the differences between
civilizations.
55. People are realizing that they are the creators of the beauty of culture in their
communities. There is a growing sense of autonomy and responsibility. We are building a
better world upon truth and justice.
56. Man questions: What is going to stop the over-exchange of cultures (its will destroy
the uniqueness of places)? How do we remain faithful to our heritage? How can all men
partake in their cultural values? How can the autonomy of each culture not contradict
religion itself?