Modern Social Imaginaries

[Irene]

After first learning about our lay vocation, then our role in secular society, we have some of the challenges that will be met clearly listed.

I appreciate this clear list and reflect that I have already met these challenges to various degrees in my own thinking about living the Faith in public, sharing with my family, and in catechumens. Growing in understanding of these challenges will help me identify them promptly and help me respond in a manner that will guide the conversation to a common understanding of the cultural/social imaginary and then point to the Catholic imaginary as I have now embraced it.  I look forward to learning more.

I can also see that these challenges will provide fuel for many future conversations with my husband and friends as we seek to grow in the Faith.

I look forward to sharing in conversation via this forum or on Oct 1 how understanding these challenges will help in the different  ministries which we serve.
Peace!

Discussion

[chuck-k-16]

Irene:

Thank you for sharing these thoughts, as they are most helpful to me and, I’m sure, to others in our forum. One of the purposes of this project is not only to ascertain the tools we will need, but to also fully understand the role of the laity in the world and where we, as laity, are expected to function. To understand that the world is ordered to the human person, and that secular things, though not profane, are temporal, crystallized for me how I might better approach friends and co-workers with the message of salvation. As we often tell catechumens, we are all on a journey of faith – yet in different locations on that journey. So, we each need to communicate our journey with the other members of the forum and I am excited about the possibilities this dialog will produce – beginning October 1st.

God Bless

[AnaM16]

Taylor says that “People in the secular age have no imagination for the Gospel”.  In these Imaginaries, mankind is about “where and how do I imagine myself” instead of “who am I?”.

I can see the argument. My question is though, How does Taylor explain man’s desire, longing, quest for Truth?  If in the Secular Age man has no imagination of God, Where does it leave the indeleble/eternal imprint of God in man’s soul?

I believe Truth is beyond time, culture, idea, space…  Truth prevails regardless of my “Imaginary”, or inability to seek it out.  If man doesn’t search Truth, Truth finds him.

 

Ana

[FrancesM16]

I have been thinking of Charles Taylor’s explanations as to how we imagine ourselves in our society.
Perhaps he is referring to the average individuals in our society. As a faithful Catholic I see individuals
who have no difficulty Believing in our faith. Therefore I still believe his explanations do not apply to every one.

[Author]

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