60
even though they do so tentatively, in a vague and
haphazard manner.
72.âIn cities, as opposed to the countryside,
the religious dimension of life is expressed by
different lifestyles, daily rhythms linked to places
and people. In their daily lives people must often
struggle for survival and this struggle contains
within it a profound understanding of life which
often includes a deep religious sense. We must
examine this more closely in order to enter into a
dialogue like that of our Lord and the Samaritan
woman at the well where she sought to quench
her thirst (cf.
Jn
4:1-15).
73.âNew cultures are constantly being born in
these vast new expanses where Christians are no
longer the customary interpreters or generators
of meaning. Instead, they themselves take from
these cultures new languages, symbols, messages
and paradigms which propose new approaches to
life, approaches often in contrast with the Gos-
pel of Jesus. A completely new culture has come
to life and continues to grow in the cities. The
Synod noted that today the changes taking place
in these great spaces and the culture which they
create are a privileged locus of the new evangeli-
zation.
61
This challenges us to imagine innovative
spaces and possibilities for prayer and commun-
ion which are more attractive and meaningful for
city dwellers. Through the influence of the me-
61
âCf.
Propositio
25.
