Church as Building or Sacred Space - Essay Example

?Church as building or sacred space The church is recognized and treated as sacred space when it does a building, where the holy sacrament has to stay and people will be united in worship and prayer. This was depicted in one particular scene in the movie when Archbishop Oscar Romero retrieved the sacrament, tried to take back the church, as a sacred place to conduct a holy celebration of the mass, all of which took place right after the military had control of a certain local church and restricted people from using its space (Romero Full Movie). Thus, the sacred space is violated when the church will be restricted to conduct sacred ceremonies. To re-establish the sacredness of the space, one important action that is necessary would be to conduct sacred ceremonies, just like in the case of the movie film Romero. Another important action, as depicted in the movie film is to claim the freedom of the people to ensure the sacredness of the space. This requires aggressive effort in order to establish the point that the church must be free from any other movements, including but not limited to those concerning application of political or economic authority, social injustice and more. The leaders, church members and the people are the ones whose actions could eventually help to make the space sacred once again. In the case of the movie film “Romero” it was the Archbishop who strengthened the people, give them courage and stood as voice of the multitude in order to restore the sanctity of the church. Church as institution An institution is aimed at achieving a high social order, even though there might be varying behaviors of a set of individuals. Church is an institution because it is supposed to be governed by and moving forward to a higher social order, it administers to everybody who might be good or bad. What it seeks to promote is only for the good of everyone, as it tries to establish a good community. Based on the movie, the church does not run the country in general, but it protects the people. Priests are shepherds, who administer the church, to help establish the church as an institution. Based on the movie, Romero addressed that the church must administer to everybody in order to maintain social order (Romero Full Movie). What is unique about the church as an institution is its foundation which is set on the love of Jesus Christ, in order to successfully promote social order. In the presence of this love for each other, collegiality is eventually developed, which based on the movie bishops were able to successfully show it when they condemned senseless violent killings. Although, some of them have been threatened to lose their lives as there were priests already killed in the chaotic situation in El Salvador. When Romero learned violence will never end up violence, he tried to place himself on the center stage, administering to everybody, and trying to understand both sides and everybody’s perspectives in order to uphold social order. At first, because of his being apolitical and complacent priest, he critiqued this as subversive act. Church as Sacrament A sacrament stands as both sign and instrument. In the case of the Church as a sacrament, it has become one with Christ, an instrument creating unity between God and all mankind. This model includes, Christ, God, and all mankind. Right after being saved by the redeeming blood of Jesus, all mankind, the Church, is in Christ, so that it would stand in unity with the Father in heaven. When there is sin, humanity needs salvation, so Jesus was offered to redeem the sin of the world. When mankind was redeemed, Christ is in the people, the Church, who must suppose to stand as the ones to represent what salvation consists in. This image of the Church was seen in the movie when Romero declared in front of the public that Christ must be seen in each and everyone, that the Church is the people and must suppose to stand as one body of Christ (Romero Full Movie). When there is disunity, this body cannot stand. By this, Romero must have implied Church as sacrament, both sign and instrument about the redeeming love of Jesus that until now must prevail as the entire humanity must suppose to stand in unity, as one body of Christ, the Church. The model “Church as sacrament” is important because it would suppose to remind everyone the great love of God for the humanity. Understanding the Church as a sign and instrument would pave the way for the continuation of what Jesus started for the humanity, as it would forever remind us our communion with Christ. Church as Pilgrim Church as a pilgrim means community on pilgrimage, having a long way to go, that would only be successful through the divine guidance or providence of God’s Spirit. Therefore, those who approach Church as pilgrim must embrace the mission of achieving what God has definitely prepared for everyone, but something must be overcome prior to achieving it, which could only be made possible through the Spirit of God. This image of the Church was depicted in the entire movie. As the Church was continuing to survive and overcome hardships that were obtained through persecutions, it was only the Spirit of God who supposed to definitely take control of everything. However, the continuing presence of hatred in everyone’s heart means everyone would need God’s Spirit in order to overcome something and move forward to a continuing journey of peace. In the case of the Church depicted in the movie, the chaotic El Salvador must overcome various circumstances with the guidance of God in order to bring them eternal peace. Romero was trying to help the Kingdom of God come “on earth as it is in heaven” by offering himself for everyone just to be able to work for peace. He has compassion for everyone and condemned everything that must not turn out beneficial for the humanity. He showcased the very love of Jesus for the human race. As a result, Romero criticized those authorities in power and everyone else creating ways and means that would only turn into violence (Romero Full Movie). Romero declared that we are supposed to be co-creators of the Kingdom of God, as we are God’s people and He must stay with us in our eternal journey. Church as Servant This model is based on the point that Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Since the Church is in Christ and must supposed to stand as His body, the Church must therefore serve those in needs. Since everyone is part of the body of Christ, everyone must therefore go to serve. Brothers and sisters must look forward to the welfare of everyone and help each other to fulfill their needs: spiritual, emotional, social, physical, financial and other relevant human needs. When things were going wrong, and when many were hurt for such violence, Romero eventually decided to take his stand on this issue. He offered himself as a servant of God; the ambassador of Christ, and who just like Jesus wanted to offer peace for everyone. He stood as the very voice of God in the midst of a chaotic society, and tried to emphasize the very love of God must prevail in everyone’s heart. There were church volunteers depicted in the movie, who like Romero offered themselves in order to proclaim peace and love, and one of them was his friend, a priest who was assassinated on the road (Romero Full Movie). It was this friend who motivated Romero to take his strong stand on the ongoing situation in El Salvador. The entire scenes depicting church as a servant try to convey us the message about love and peace. This is important because we, as followers of Jesus, need to share this love and peace to all, especially those who truly in need of them. Reference Romero Full Movie. YouTube, 8 Nov. 2011. Web. 31 Oct. 2012. Read More