Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Koronkai, Zoltan Istvan

Titel

The relationship between prayer and vocation in the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar

Ort / Verlag

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Erscheinungsjahr

2007

Quelle

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• This thesis examines the relationship between prayer and vocation in the work of the Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar. In the theology of Balthasar, Christian prayer is considered to be a participation in intra-trinitarian dialogue (prayer) and Christian vocation is a sharing in the intra-divine self-giving (mission). In the divine life, loving dialogue (prayer) and mutual self-giving between the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit are one reality of love. Therefore in an authentic Christian life, which is a participation in divine life, prayer and vocation cannot be separated, but must also build a unity. For Balthasar prayer is a consequence of a previous vocation, and it could influence subsequent vocations. During prayer one has to be prepared to receive a call from God; therefore prayer is a vocational reality. In Balthasar's understanding of prayer, obedience to the calling and sending will of God is central. Obedience to one's vocation is the criterion of the genuineness of prayer. On the other hand, a vocation can be received and discerned only in the context of prayer; thus vocation needs prayer. The unity between prayer and vocation in everyday life can be illustrated by the mutually penetrating relationship of contemplation and action. Although Balthasar emphasizes this unity of prayer and vocation, he still maintains that prayer is not simply a function of personal vocation. Prayer life should also include an aspect of absolute gratuity, a certain "pointlessness" which can be described only with the terms of self-less love, which has its root in the Trinitarian life. The divine initiative of love fuses a dynamic unity of prayer and vocation, and this unity is essential for Christian life and ecclesial renewal. Balthasar's approach can deepen and challenge our contemporary theology of prayer and vocation, even our understanding of the meaning of human existence.