Studia Pastoralne
Rocznik Wydziału Teologicznego UŚ

LOVE OF ONE’S HOMELAND IN PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHRISTIAN VOCATION TO HOLINESS.
Summary
A Christian expects a full realization of God’s Kingdom. Heaven is his true homeland. However, he lives an earthly life. The Christian vocation is to promote God’s Kingdom on Earth. In considering the Christian vocation to holiness, Christian love for one’s homeland becomes the dictate of one’s conscience. It is connected with a feeling of duty and responsibility for the homeland. Patriotism isn’t only a human value. Its origin is love of God. Love of one’s homeland is even mentioned in Jesus’ teaching. True patriotism derives from the keeping of the commandment of love. Such behavior guarantees social justice and lasting peace between all people. This rule considers especially those who form a nation. Belonging to a nation obliges people to undertake moral responsibility of acting for the benefit of their homeland. One’s concern for the nation should not be limited to knowledge of the past and of traditions. It’s about one’s personal contribution to the act of creating the present reality in the spirit of the gospels.

CATECHESIS ABOUT CAIN’S SIN UPON PERISCOPE FROM GEN 4,1-16.
Summary
Cain selfishly negated differentiation in the world, which was established by God. He lacked an appropriate relationship with himself. He didn’t overcome evil tendencies, didn’t gain control over sin and allowed himself to commit murder. Breaking our relationship with God leads to injustice in relations with others. Even after his sin, God attempts to re-establish dialogue with Cain, who however again turns out to be hardened toward God’s voice. For his sin he is cursed and outcast. God still promises him protection and places a mark upon him. Because He wants the conversion of the sinner more then his death. God gives him a chance for transformation.

QUOTATIONS FROM THE BOOK OF MALACHI IN SYNOPTIC GOSPELS
Summary
The extract of Malachi 3:1 about preparing the way for the Lord is put into the pericope on John the Baptist being a predecessor of the Saviour (Matthew 11:7-15, Mark 1:1-8, Luke 7:24-30). This prophecy is fulfilled with the person of John the Baptist as he is somebody more important than just God’s herald. With the prophecy of Elijah’s return (Malachi 4:5) he is the one who directly announces the coming of the Lord. Luke is the only writer of the three synoptic gospels that refers to the words of Malachi 4:5-6 and he puts them in his pericope on the announcement of John’s birth (Luke 1:5-25). Luke’s gospel underlines the contrast between John the Baptist and Jesus emphasizing Jesus’ transcendency. The Gospel reinterpretation identifies the coming of the Messiah with the coming of God which makes them equal.
Matthew notes that Jesus speaks of John the Baptist and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come (Matthew 11:14). John is the messenger of the kind usually angels are and none of the other prophets had such an honour. His duty is to preach and prepare the people for the Messiah. Jesus praises John while John is imprisoned and that makes him the first human being to die for Christ.