HISTORICAL CHARACTER 0F THE MYSTERY 0F SALVATION

44 The economy of salvation is being worked out in lime: in time past it began, made progress, and in Christ reached its highest point; in the present time it displays its force and awaits its consummation in the future. Hence in the exposition of the content of catechesis, memory of the past, awareness of the present, and hope of the future life ought 10 be evident by ail means.

Therefore, catechesis recalls the supreme event of the whole history of salvation, the event with which Christians are united by faith, namely, the incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Moreover, catechesis enables the faithful to recognise how the saving mystery of Christ works today and throughout the ages through the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Church, and leads them to understand their duties toward God, themselves, and their neighbors.

finally, catechesis rightly disposes hearts to hope in the future life that is the consummation of the whole history of salvation. Towards this goal Christians ought to tend with filial confidence, but not without a holy fear of divine judgement.

Through this hope the Christian community is deeply filled with an inner eschatoIogicai expectation which enables it to think correctly about human and earthly goods by keeping them in proper perspective, while not despising them as worthless.

These three main viewpoints are to be kept in mind continuously and practically in the exposition of the content of catechesis.