The “Just Once” and “Once for Ever” of the Word of God

Sławomir Zatwardnicki

doi:10.21697/ct.2022.92.1.04

Published: 2022-03-23

Vol. 92 No. 1 (2022)

The “Just Once” and “Once for Ever” of the Word of God

Sławomir Zatwardnicki

Collectanea Theologica

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2022.92.1.04

Abstract

The text asks the question about the role of the Word of God in connection with Pascha and its being made present in the liturgy. The article first refers to Joseph Ratzinger’s theology of liturgy. According to the Bavarian theologian, in Christian worship the historical event of the Passover (“just once”) corresponds to its continuous actuality (“once for ever”). The essence of Jesus’ words and actions – as the Son of the Father – at the Last Supper remains always present. It is then shown that the inspired writings can only be understood in connection with the words of institution at the Last Supper. The privileged time for listening to the word of God is the liturgy, during which Christ-the Lamb becomes the Exegete who opens up the deepest sense of Scripture (“Eucharistic hermeneutics”). An analogy is then presented between the entry of the past Passover into the present of the liturgy and the actualization of the events witnessed in the inspired books. This kind of “making present” is related to the sacramental transformation of the Jewish scriptures and feasts that Christ accomplished. The historical experience is not recreated, but recapitulated in the Eucharistic Passover. In the Blessed Sacrament Christ is also present in the spoken (and written under inspiration) word. In turn, the liturgy of the word is the verbal aspect of the sacramental action.

Keywords:

Joseph Ratzinger, Christ’s Passover, inspired writings, eucharistic hermeneutics, liturgy and salvation history, making present of the word of God, liturgy of the word

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Zatwardnicki, S. (2022). The “Just Once” and “Once for Ever” of the Word of God. Collectanea Theologica, 92(1), 89–112. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2022.92.1.04

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Sławomir Zatwardnicki

zatwardnicki@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7597-6604

Affiliation:

Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wrocław, Poland Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Sławomir Zatwardnicki (PhD) – doctor of theology; Assistant Professor at the Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wrocław; Secretary of the editorial office of “Wrocław Theological Review;” lecturer, publicist, author of many articles and eighteen books; member of the Society of Dogmatic Theologians in Poland and the Association of Fundamental Theologians in Poland; he is involved in evangelization and formation activities, responsible for one of the branches of the School of Christian Life and Evangelization of Saint Mary of Nazareth and Mother of the Church.