Genuine worship of God in a secularized world

‘The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Eph 1 :3) is ‘the living God’ (Mt 16:16). He is holy, just, merciful, he is God the author of the covenant with men, God who sees, frees, saves, God who loves as a father, as a bridegroom. Catechesis joyfully announces this God, the source of all our hope (see ، Pet 1:3-4).

Catechesis cannot ignore the fact that many people of our time have an acute sense of a remoteness, even an absence, of God. This is part of the process of secularization and it is a danger to the faith, but it also urges us to have a purer faith and to become more humble before the mystery of God, as is right: “Truly you are a hidden God, the God of Israel, our savior.” (Is 45:15) From this viewpoint it is possible to understand more easily the true nature of worship which God requires and which glorifies him: a worship, that is, which goes hand in hand with the resolve to fulfill his will in all spheres of activity and faithfully to multiply in charity the talents bestowed by the Lord (see Mt 25:14 if). In the liturgy, the faithful bring the fruits of all their acts of charity, justice and peace and offer them humbly to God. From the liturgy they receive the words of life and grace, which they need to speak the truth in charity (see Eph 4:15) in the world, in communion with Christ, who offers his body and blood for the human race.