FR EDWARD SCHILLEBEECKX OP has died. In 1974 he dedicated his monumental JESUS – An Experiment in Christology “to all my readers, known and unknown – and especially Bernard Cardinal Alfrink, ‘That you may not grieve as others do who have no hope’ (1 Thessalonians 4.13).
I thank God for “The Schillebeeckx Preface” we use frequently in our Eucharistic celebrations here:
Lord God, we thank you for Jesus, the truly human being, who has changed the face of the earth, because he spoke of a great vision, of God’s new age which will come one day, a world of freedom, love and peace, the perfection of your creation. We remember that wherever Jesus came people rediscovered their humanity, and were filled with new riches, so that they could give one another new courage in their lives. We remember how Jesus spoke to people, about a lost coin, a sheep that had strayed, a prodigal son: of all those who no longer count, out of sight, out of mind; the weak and the poor, all those who are captive, unknown, unloved. We recall that he went to search for all who were lost, for those who are saddened and out in the cold, and how he always took their side, without forgetting the others. That cost him his life because the mighty of the earth would not tolerate it, and yet he knew that he was understood and accepted by you, confirmed by you in love. He became one with you. And so, freed from himself, he could live a life of liberation for others. And so we gladly thank you, with saints and angels praising you, and saying: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed + is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
“God is always absolutely new”, Fr Schillebeeckx said, of the One who makes all things new. Indeed He / he spoke of a great vision. Requiescat in pace.
