This document discusses the concept of praxis in Catholicism and liberation theology. It defines praxis as applying one's religious beliefs to everyday life through actions. Liberation theology emerged in the 1960s through Vatican II's emphasis on social justice, seeking to interpret the Gospel in a way that transforms societies and liberates the oppressed. It uses the "See-Judge-Act" method: analyze situations of oppression (See), evaluate them through one's faith (Judge), and plan actions for change (Act). True faith requires both words and deeds; love is central to virtuous living and gives meaning to actions.

1. Believing through Praxis

2. How do you
feel when
people could
not keep their
promise?
What do you
passionately believe in?
Why?
Have you ever encountered
a situation where you
failed to do what you
believed in?

3. What do you think?
•People who do not act upon what they
proclaim in words lose their integrity!
Action speaks louder than words!
Words are from the lips, actions are from
the heart!

4. The praxis of one’s faith
•Embodying of one’s inner
convictions (pangangatawan)
•Outward manifestations of the
person’s values
•Living out principles personally
adhered to (pagsasabuhay)

5. In Catholicism, Praxis …
refers to applying the
principles and ethics
drawn from religion to
everyday life.
implies applied belief
that is, the practice of
one’s religious beliefs
enables one to live a
better life patterned
after the Way of Jesus.

6. Vatican II (1962-1965)
- A breakthrough in Liberation theology
- Retrieved the original spirit of the
Gospel
- the coming of the kingdom
proclaimed by Jesus (Lk. 4:18)

7. The liberative impact of faith
emphasized by Vat. II
• A spirituality born out of faith that does
justice
• Inspired by the Catholic Social Teachings
• Expression of a kingdom-centered church

8. The faith of Jesus
- Characterized by absorption of the will
of God – the coming of the kingdom (ang
pamamayani ng kagandahang-loob ng
Diyos)
- Expressed in his passionate quest for
the well-being of all even unto death
- Fueled by commitment to bring about
liberation in society

9. Would you say
that Jesus
was a person
of action?
The liberating praxis
of Jesus may be
gauged through his:
•Table fellowship
•Healing ministry
•Compassionate
forgiveness of sinners
•Exorcism of the possessed

10. James 2:22
Faith, as the letter of James points out, is
“active... with works” and “completed by
works.”
Mere words are never enough to consider a
fellow human being to be truly good.

11. James 2:17
• Faith is dead without corresponding action
• The most challenging aspect of true faith is how to
translate into our way of life what we believe in
• The set of behaviors commensurate to what are felt,
and thoughts are determined according to the desired
outcome.

12. The centrality
of love in
Christian
praxis of faith
While acts of faith are
necessary, love is central
to virtuous living.
At the heart of who we
are, Jesus reminded us
that our “love for one
another” identifies us to
him as his followers (cf.
John 13:35)

13. 1 Cor. 13 – 1-3
• If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but
do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all
mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as
to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am
nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand
over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I
gain nothing.

14. Love is crucial in our life of faith
that St. Paul regards what
Christians do, no matter how
impressive, as meaningless
without it

15. Key concepts
to ponder on
•Love gives meaning
and direction to our
actions; it engenders
authentic kindness;
purifies our
intentions; steers us
away from the lure of
Narcissistic ideals

16. Emergence of liberation theologies in the
late 1960’s thru Vatican II’s Gaudium et Spes
• A new way of doing theology which takes the praxis of
faith more seriously and sees social action as a necessary
aspect of evangelization especially among the poor.
• Originated from the desire to do something about the
sinful situation in society

17. “Is critical reflection on the Cristian faith, an
interpretation of reality as mediated through the
symbols of the Christian Tradition, that has grown out of
a preferential option and commitment in behalf of the
poor and the oppressed.”
Gorospe, V. 1997. Forming the Filipino social conscience. (Makati: Bookmark Inc.) p. 158.
LIBERATION THEOLOGY

18. Retrieving
the
liberating
character
of the
Gospel
The need to reinterpret
the message of Jesus
which seeks to for
transformation of people
and societies
The call to act on behalf of
loving faith which
expresses the prophetic
voice beckoning us to take
action

19. The framework of
liberation theologies
Context: experience of oppression
especially because of poverty
Vision: liberation of the
oppressed/marginalized
Methodology: See-Judge-Act

20. Latin
American
Christians
• Realized that one’s beliefs
become effective only when this
is clearly shown in one’s action.
• Argued that to act on behalf of
justice is to act on behalf of God
• Made use of the Bible and social
theories to articulate a more
relevant theology

21. See-Judge-Act
Three essential
steps to guide
our theologizing
that is relevant
and responsive
to the sinful
situation
affecting humans
the whole of
creation
This formula was
initially proposed
by Cardinal Joseph
Cardijn to Young
Christian Workers
to help them find
solutions to unjust
social structures
affecting young
workers
This was picked
up and given a
new vigor by
Latin American
Christians to
respond to
oppression in
their society

22. See-Judge-
Act as a Way
of Life
The life of a mature Christian is a
process of responsibly analyzing the
situation (SEE); of discerning God’s
presence/absence in them (JUDGE); and
planning/acting on what best responds
to God’s will in our time (ACT).
It is not simply learning or memorizing
certain doctrines of the church but
following the prophetic Way of Jesus
where responsible and critical
individuals actively engaged in the
concerns of their society inspired by
their faith

23. See
– to analyze
• Careful analysis of the present
experience or current
condition of people (i.e.
poverty, ecological
degradation, corruption in the
government, etc.)
• Scrutinizing this situation may
require social theories or use
of social and structural
principles to diagnose as it
were, the condition of society

24. Judge – to evaluate or discern
• The analysis made
should be critically
correlated to Christian
framework; to the
message embodied in
the Judeo-Christian
Tradition (JCT) or to
our Faith Legacy as
Christians
• Through the lens of
one’s faith, the
present phenomenon
is discerned if it is at
par with the
standards of living
humanly or
righteously

25. Act
– crafting a
strategy to change
the sinful
situation
Develop a concrete plan of
action which will bring about
the envisioned change,
transformation or renewal for
the betterment of society
What course of action or
initiatives may be implemented
to ensure well-being of those
who are suffering/oppressed by
sinful structures

26. Translated into
a methodology
with four steps
Experience of injustice or any form
of oppression
Scientific social analysis
Theological reflection in the light
of Scriptures and Church Teachings
Reflected action on behalf of the
oppressed/suffering

27. The “circle of praxis”

28. Let’s try one example!
Poverty in indiana

29. How about
trying this out
too!
Choose one specific social
problem which you believe
requires urgent action. You
may work with a partner.
Follow the steps indicated
and submit your output
after.

30. Have a fruitful engagement
in this endeavor!
Looking forward to your outputs!