Cursillos in Christianity makes it possible to live what is fundamentally Christian. It does not try merely to make it possible but to make it uncomplicated, to facilitate it and make it understandable and accessible to all, but most especially – though not exclusively – to those who are away [from the Church].
Cursillos in Christianity was not intended nor does it have as its aim the greater spiritual comfort of those who think themselves “good”. Rather it seeks and sometimes even succeeds in raising their consciousness so that they resolve to become the “leaven” that they are called to be in the world. So that, as the result of a profound reflection, they can gradually discover new horizons that motivate them to leave behind the traditional and comfortable circle of ideas and circumstances – wrongly assumed to be ecclesial – in which they routinely move. And thus, awaken in them a concern for people who live away from the Church and who have not yet heard the news that God loves them.
Again, the primary though not exclusive purpose of Cursillos is to warmly draw nearer to those who are away [from the Church] in order to establish with them closeness and sincere friendship. So that, with a concrete, thought out, studied and prayed over plan (precursillo, cursillo and postcursillo); they may endeavor to put their efforts and energy to work in a way that is both appropriate and possible (group reunion and ultreya). So that these people who are away from the Church – some who are Christians and others who are not yet Christians because they have been poorly informed, or misinformed or not informed – may hear the Good News that God loves them in Christ.
When this begins to occur, we believe that it is wise to keep in mind the implicit warning contained in the parable of the “Prodigal Son” as it refers to the older brother.
The experience of some and the energy of others, in harmonious and friendly combination, undoubtedly make it possible and feasible for many people to grasp and achieve what Cursillos in Christianity seeks – what it has always sought. In order to gradually achieve that end, the following goals are identified and proposed:
· Go out to meet them in the path of their life’s journey; making an effort to make contact with them; remaining in lively anticipation of the joy of their return home, to our Father.
· So that, with a certainty derived from what has been intimately and personally experienced, they may open their minds to the Truth; and, we then may promote and provide them the means to take that Truth to their lives and the lives of others with personal conviction, decisiveness and perseverance.
· Living what is fundamentally Christian is possible when we simplify it without falsifying or sugarcoating it; when we endeavor to have the Christian message touch the hearts and minds of as many people as possible, with all the power of that which is uncomplicated. Not because in a paternalistic way we force them to see; instead, because each person gradually discovers it on their own, in that inner space of their inmost self.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What, according to Eduardo Bonnín, has always been the goal or aim of the Cursillo Movement?
2. What is the “implicit warning” contained in the parable of “The Prodigal Son” that Eduardo refers to?
3. How does Eduardo’s explanation clarify your understanding of the three phases of the Cursillo Movement: Precursillo, Cursillo and Postcursillo?
