La teología de la liberación en prospectiva - Noticias más vistas

oth leads to justice and good order and prepares for a real encounter withJesus, the prince of peace in Christmas. With these references to the textfrom Isaiah, Gutiérrez makes use of the Catholic theological discourse.Gutiérrez tries to rescue the vindications the social movements hadachieved in decades before. Through their experience an alternative wayof interpreting the situation was presented, thus opening new possibilities.An experience that is built on the radical political discourse shows that thisalso had consequences for the liberal political discourse. The conquestsof the grassroots movements were converted into political initiatives fordemocracy built on just structures in society.The last paragraph is also part of the pastoral theological discourse thatcalls people to action. People are called to be part of this moment and thiscommitment is linked to the coming celebration of Christmas in this highlycritical year 1992:If the coming of the Lord sets our hearts on fire and if we respond byour commitment and solidarity to the gift of love, which God gives us in hisSon, we will become the glow-worms that with the power of the Holy Spiritconstitute “a vast multitude” (Ez. 37:10). This will transform the threateningdarkness into a human and peaceful night. If we do this, it will be one moreChristmas in which our hope will grow. If we withdraw out of selfishness orsimply out of fear, it would have been one Christmas less in our lives.In this passage that calls for action, Gutiérrez is once again inclusive inthe sense that he includes himself, by using first person plural: “our hearts”,“we respond”, “our commitment” and “we will become glow-worms”.The celebration of Christmas is conditioned by “our commitment”. Hopeis nothing that is just given to people; it is conquered by people’s owncommitment.To celebrate Christmas in Peru in this moment presupposes, accordingto Gutiérrez, solidarity and commitment. His conviction was that thiswould lead to a transformation of the darkness that was so heavily present.This was the option that Gutiérrez set up: if people responded in this wayChristmas would be a celebration where Christian hope would increase.If not, celebrating Christmas did not really make any sense to Gutiérrez,particularly not in this crucial situation.The pastoral theological discourse synthesises the other three discoursesalso in this text. It was an encouraging message to receive in thatcritical moment. It focused the readiness of its readers to see and identifythese often small lights in the tunnel and see them as signs and witnessesof the great light that Isaiah had talked about.358 x Olle Kristenson