Świętowanie niedzieli duchowym i kulturowym dziedzictwem chrześcijaństwa jednoczącej się Europy

Abstract

Sunday, or the Lord’s day, has formed the culture of Europe and contributed to preserving it. Sunday is an inalienable common good of the culture. The values that it proposes are the best warrants for a humanist and peaceful Europe. This is why in the long run Sunday as a cultural good cannot be separated from its religious origin and its effect on the culture of Europe. That day is the most important symbol of what Christianity has given to Europe and to the world: constant preaching the good news about Jesus’ Resurrection, celebration of the victory over sin and death, involvement in work on man’s complete liberation. Guarding the Christian meaning of Sunday we help Europe take care of an important part of its spiritual and cultural heritage. The Christian communities in Germany and Austria demanded that Sunday should by law be a day free from work, protesting in numerous declarations against subjecting it to economic interests. There is a need for a good anthropological catechesis about Sunday, of a good celebration of formerly prepared Sunday liturgy, and of a wise formation of an individual and family rite of spending Sundays. Sunday is the Church’s first feast, the celebration of the Creator’s work, the day of the resurrected Lord and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Pasch of the week, the eighth day – a prediction of eternity, the day of faith, joy, rest and solidarity. At the threshold of the third millennium celebrating Sunday is still the key element of the Christian identity and Christian culture.