17th National Biblical Workshop17th National Biblical WorkshopChali Beach Resort, Zone 3, Cugman, Chali Beach Resort, Zone 3, Cugman,

Cagayan de Oro CityCagayan de Oro City

Theme: Theme:

The Word of God-Source of Justice, The Word of God-Source of Justice, Reconciliation and PeaceReconciliation and Peace

““Inter-Religious Inter-Religious Dialogue, Dialogue,

A Christian A Christian Perspective”Perspective”

“ “The foundation of the Church The foundation of the Church commitment to dialogue is not merely commitment to dialogue is not merely anthropological, but primarily anthropological, but primarily theological. God in an age long theological. God in an age long dialogue, has offered and continues to dialogue, has offered and continues to offer salvation to humankind. In offer salvation to humankind. In faithfulness to the Divine Initiative, the faithfulness to the Divine Initiative, the church, too must enter into a dialogue church, too must enter into a dialogue of salvation with all men and women.” of salvation with all men and women.” (Dialogue Proclamation, 38)(Dialogue Proclamation, 38)

Our understanding of Justice Our understanding of Justice Reconciliation and Peace can be best Reconciliation and Peace can be best understood in our search into the understood in our search into the meaning of inter-religious dialogue in meaning of inter-religious dialogue in the Word of God. (in the Bible).the Word of God. (in the Bible).

1. The God of All 1. The God of All

in the Biblein the Bible

Christians today are invited to read Christians today are invited to read again the Bible with the “mind and again the Bible with the “mind and heart” of God’s Dialogue. heart” of God’s Dialogue. Understanding the work of God in Understanding the work of God in humanity is an act of Faith. Some parts humanity is an act of Faith. Some parts of the Bible may seem to contradict the of the Bible may seem to contradict the concept of dialogue. But in dialogue, concept of dialogue. But in dialogue, we start from the understanding of the we start from the understanding of the unifying action of God, even when it is unifying action of God, even when it is not clear to us.not clear to us.

In dialogue, Christians apply the In dialogue, Christians apply the simple principle that God cannot simple principle that God cannot contradict himself and because God contradict himself and because God is love dialogue is a manifestation of is love dialogue is a manifestation of God’s love, then there must be a God’s love, then there must be a consistent action of love and dialogue consistent action of love and dialogue in God.in God.

Another point in understanding dialogue Another point in understanding dialogue through the Bible, is to see the continuity through the Bible, is to see the continuity of God’s dialogue from the Old of God’s dialogue from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Testament to the New Testament. However, for the Christians, there is the However, for the Christians, there is the gradual revelation of God’s dialogue, gradual revelation of God’s dialogue, centered in Jesus Christ’s teachings, life centered in Jesus Christ’s teachings, life death and resurrection.death and resurrection.

1.1 Old Testament 1.1 Old Testament

(OT)(OT)

The Bible starts saying that The Bible starts saying that all people are created by God all people are created by God (Gen. 1:27)(Gen. 1:27)

Book of Wisdom Book of Wisdom

Chapter 1 to 19Chapter 1 to 19

Joseph and his brothers story Joseph and his brothers story ( Gen. 37 to 50 )( Gen. 37 to 50 )

Ps. 67/66, 1-5 “Let the nations Ps. 67/66, 1-5 “Let the nations praise you, O God, let all the praise you, O God, let all the nations praise you! Let the nations praise you! Let the nations shout and sing for you. nations shout and sing for you. Since you dispense true justice to Since you dispense true justice to the world; You dispense strict the world; You dispense strict justice to the people. On earth you justice to the people. On earth you rule the nation”rule the nation”

1.2 New Testament 1.2 New Testament

(NT)(NT)

In the NT, Jesus puts emphasis on In the NT, Jesus puts emphasis on God’s love for all, the love for God’s love for all, the love for one another, the faith of people one another, the faith of people outside Israel, the importance of outside Israel, the importance of solidarity and many other people solidarity and many other people points that help Christians points that help Christians promote inter-religious dialogue:promote inter-religious dialogue:

Jesus admired the faith of the Jesus admired the faith of the Roman Officer who asked him to Roman Officer who asked him to cure the servant ( Mt. 8, 5-13)cure the servant ( Mt. 8, 5-13)

Jesus pointed out the faith of the Jesus pointed out the faith of the Canaanite woman in asking him Canaanite woman in asking him to cure her daughter to cure her daughter

(Mt. 15, 21-28)(Mt. 15, 21-28)

Jesus presented the Parable of Jesus presented the Parable of the Good Samaritan the Good Samaritan

(Lk. 10: 25-37)(Lk. 10: 25-37)Jesus invited the Samaritan Jesus invited the Samaritan woman to worship in spirit and woman to worship in spirit and truth (Jn 4:24)truth (Jn 4:24)

Some quotations that can be searched Some quotations that can be searched for Inter-Religious dialogue elements in for Inter-Religious dialogue elements in the NT are:the NT are:

God is love ( 1 Jn 4:16 )God is love ( 1 Jn 4:16 )

He (God) wants everyone to be saved He (God) wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth and reach full knowledge of the truth ( 1 Tim 2,4 )( 1 Tim 2,4 )

God has revealed his grace to the God has revealed his grace to the salvation of all (Titus 2, 11) see also salvation of all (Titus 2, 11) see also Mt. 18, 10-14; Rm. 12, 17-21; Eph. Mt. 18, 10-14; Rm. 12, 17-21; Eph. 4, 22-32’ Ph. 2, 1-4, 2 Tm. 2, 14-26; 4, 22-32’ Ph. 2, 1-4, 2 Tm. 2, 14-26; Ps 3, 13-16; Rm 11, 11-32;Ps 3, 13-16; Rm 11, 11-32;

Each one of you must judge himself Each one of you must judge himself soberly and the standard of the faith soberly and the standard of the faith God has given you (Rom. 12, 3)God has given you (Rom. 12, 3)

Leave that the Lord comes: he will light Leave that the Lord comes: he will light up all hidden in the dark and reveal the up all hidden in the dark and reveal the secret intentions of man’s heart. Then secret intentions of man’s heart. Then will be the time for each one to have will be the time for each one to have whatever praise he deserves from God. whatever praise he deserves from God.

( 1 Cor. 4, 5)( 1 Cor. 4, 5)To love with all your heart, with all your To love with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love understanding and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, this is far more your neighbor as yourself, this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice. important than any holocaust or sacrifice. (Mk. 12, 33)(Mk. 12, 33)

Among Jesus’ message and Among Jesus’ message and teachings, we can give special teachings, we can give special attention to the following basic attention to the following basic ones:ones:

“ “ Which commandment is the most Which commandment is the most important of all? This is the most important of all? This is the most important one, Jesus said, Listen Israel! important one, Jesus said, Listen Israel! The Lord Our God is the only Lord. You The Lord Our God is the only Lord. You must love the Lord your God with all your must love the Lord your God with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second most important strength. The second most important commandment is this; you must love your commandment is this; you must love your fellowman as yourself. There is no other fellowman as yourself. There is no other commandment more important than these commandment more important than these two. “ (Mk. 12, 28-31)two. “ (Mk. 12, 28-31)

“ “ You have heard it said, an eye for an You have heard it said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But now, I eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But now, I tell you: do not take revenge on someone tell you: do not take revenge on someone who does you wrong. If anyone slaps you who does you wrong. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too. And if someone takes you to cheek too. And if someone takes you to court to sue for your shirt, let him have court to sue for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if one of the your coat as well. And if one of the occupation troops forces you to carry his occupation troops forces you to carry his pack one mile, carry it another mile, pack one mile, carry it another mile, when someone asks you for something, when someone asks you for something, lend it to him. lend it to him.

You have heard that it was said; love You have heard that it was said; love your enemies and pray for those who your enemies and pray for those who persecuted you, so that you will become persecuted you, so that you will become the sons of your Father in heaven. For he the sons of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on the good and makes his sun to shine on the good and the bad people alike, and gives rain to the bad people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and those who do those who do good and those who do evil. Why should God reward you if you evil. Why should God reward you if you love only the people who love you? Even love only the people who love you? Even the tax collectors do that, “ Even the the tax collectors do that, “ Even the pagans do that! You must be perfect just pagans do that! You must be perfect just as your Father in heaven is perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect

( Matthew 5: 38-48 )( Matthew 5: 38-48 )

2. Rediscovering 2. Rediscovering

God’s Dialogue God’s Dialogue

in the Biblein the Bible

In the history of Christian spirituality In the history of Christian spirituality one can discover the richness of the one can discover the richness of the expressions of GOD. The challenge for expressions of GOD. The challenge for Christian now is to see the Christian now is to see the manifestation of GOD in the Holy manifestation of GOD in the Holy Bible, in the light of DIALOGUE and Bible, in the light of DIALOGUE and to understand more the style of God as to understand more the style of God as a God of dialogue. This will encourage a God of dialogue. This will encourage Christians to experience dialogue as a Christians to experience dialogue as a spirituality.spirituality.

Christians often repeat the expression: Christians often repeat the expression: “GOD is Love “ ( 1 Jn. 4, 16 ) But who is “GOD is Love “ ( 1 Jn. 4, 16 ) But who is this love manifested? The Christian Faith this love manifested? The Christian Faith presents God with different names, one of presents God with different names, one of these is EMMANUEL ( God with us ). these is EMMANUEL ( God with us ). The relation of God with us is an The relation of God with us is an expression of his love, because God is expression of his love, because God is compassionate. This word does not mean compassionate. This word does not mean that God pities us, but that He loves us. that God pities us, but that He loves us.

The Lord is compassionate and The Lord is compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in Kindness and Fidelity rich in Kindness and Fidelity

( Ex. 34, 6 ).( Ex. 34, 6 ).

In the Hebrew language the word In the Hebrew language the word “Compassion” is ““Compassion” is “rahamirrahamir”. This ”. This word is taken from the word “womb word is taken from the word “womb of woman”. Thus the compassionate of woman”. Thus the compassionate God is a loving God, like a mother God is a loving God, like a mother who loves the child of her womb who loves the child of her womb nourishing, giving life. nourishing, giving life.

It is a very feminine and motherly term It is a very feminine and motherly term and denotes the ability to suffer with, and denotes the ability to suffer with, to enter deeply into a situation, to be to enter deeply into a situation, to be filled with empathy, as if one is filled with empathy, as if one is experiencing the situation personally experiencing the situation personally and not as an observer. The word really and not as an observer. The word really means to be able to share the sufferings means to be able to share the sufferings and pains of others and also to and pains of others and also to experience their joy and happiness as if experience their joy and happiness as if they are all happening personally. they are all happening personally.

The word as applied to God The word as applied to God comprehensible also to those who comprehensible also to those who know, with all the fibers of their know, with all the fibers of their being, in total self surrender and with being, in total self surrender and with passion, the meaning of passion, the meaning of unconditional love. unconditional love.

This concept is well expressed in the This concept is well expressed in the Bible by Isaiah 49, 14-16:Bible by Isaiah 49, 14-16:

““Can a woman forget the baby and not Can a woman forget the baby and not love the child she love? Even if a mother love the child she love? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget should forget her child, I will never forget you. I have written your name on the you. I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”palms of my hands.”

A mother who brings forth a child with A mother who brings forth a child with love into this world, is the best expression love into this world, is the best expression of the love of God.of the love of God.

The Christian Faith presents the love of The Christian Faith presents the love of God in different stages. God in different stages.

The major ones are:The major ones are:

God in communion: TrinityGod in communion: Trinity

God manifesting his love through CreationGod manifesting his love through Creation

God sharing his messages through RevelationGod sharing his messages through Revelation

God sharing his life through God sharing his life through Incarnation; Incarnation; and and

2.1 Trinity2.1 Trinity

In the Ten Commandments it is clear In the Ten Commandments it is clear that God is one and Christians that God is one and Christians believe in it. In the Trinity there is a believe in it. In the Trinity there is a dynamic life that cannot be expressed dynamic life that cannot be expressed in human language. There is a perfect in human language. There is a perfect love and dialogue that can be love and dialogue that can be expressed as God’s Dialogue “Ad-expressed as God’s Dialogue “Ad-intra”, inside the mystery of the intra”, inside the mystery of the Trinity. God is alive and is in the Trinity. God is alive and is in the attitude of sharing inside and outside. attitude of sharing inside and outside.

This doctrine of the Trinity is openly This doctrine of the Trinity is openly expressed in the New Testament. One expressed in the New Testament. One example in the Old Testament is the example in the Old Testament is the encounter of the three visitors with encounter of the three visitors with Abraham anticipating that he will have Abraham anticipating that he will have a son. Jesus talks often of the Father, a son. Jesus talks often of the Father, and the Holy Spirit and the perfect and the Holy Spirit and the perfect unity among them. It was a language unity among them. It was a language misunderstood even by the people misunderstood even by the people close to him.close to him.

Christians believe in this mystery Christians believe in this mystery because they believe in Jesus Christ’s because they believe in Jesus Christ’s message. It is an act faith like many message. It is an act faith like many acts of faith that Christians are called to acts of faith that Christians are called to do. To have an idea of the mystery of do. To have an idea of the mystery of the Trinity, we can use the example of the Trinity, we can use the example of “fire”. All of us have experience of the “fire”. All of us have experience of the fire. And we know that the fire is one, fire. And we know that the fire is one, but it has three basic qualities; the but it has three basic qualities; the quality of light, the quality of heat, and quality of light, the quality of heat, and the quality of burning.the quality of burning.

Although we experience the three Although we experience the three qualities of the fire, we say the fire is qualities of the fire, we say the fire is one, something similar happens in one, something similar happens in the mystery of the Trinity. For this the mystery of the Trinity. For this reason, perhaps, in the Bible and in reason, perhaps, in the Bible and in other religious traditions, fire is other religious traditions, fire is considered a sign in other religious considered a sign in other religious traditions, fire is considered a sign of traditions, fire is considered a sign of Divinity.Divinity.

In a special way it reminds us of the In a special way it reminds us of the “Burning Fire” of the mystical “Burning Fire” of the mystical experience of Moses. Christians can experience of Moses. Christians can recall many other events where God recall many other events where God manifested himself in the Fire. One of manifested himself in the Fire. One of these special presence was in the these special presence was in the occasion of the Pentecost when the occasion of the Pentecost when the Apostles received the Holy Spirit in the Apostles received the Holy Spirit in the form of fire.form of fire.

2.2 Creation2.2 Creation

Creation is the most tangible sign of Creation is the most tangible sign of the dialogue of God with humanity. It the dialogue of God with humanity. It is a simple language that people is a simple language that people understand. God in a certain moment understand. God in a certain moment of time decided to share outside, his of time decided to share outside, his love. This can be considered as love. This can be considered as God’s Dialogue, Ad Extra. At the God’s Dialogue, Ad Extra. At the beginning of the Bible we read “God beginning of the Bible we read “God created heaven and earth (Gen. 1,1)created heaven and earth (Gen. 1,1)

Humanity is part of, and is Humanity is part of, and is responsible for this creation responsible for this creation according to the plan of God”. From according to the plan of God”. From this point of view, ecology for the this point of view, ecology for the Christian is not only a social Christian is not only a social commitment, but a spiritual way of commitment, but a spiritual way of entering into dialogue with creation entering into dialogue with creation according to the will of God.according to the will of God.

2.3 Revelation2.3 Revelation

Another source of God’s dialogue Another source of God’s dialogue which Christians can contemplate, is which Christians can contemplate, is revelation. God in his love planned to revelation. God in his love planned to be closer to humanity, sharing his be closer to humanity, sharing his message and guiding his people to message and guiding his people to the Kingdom. The mystery of the Kingdom. The mystery of suffering and sin are signs of an suffering and sin are signs of an encounter of God in different ways. encounter of God in different ways.

Revelation is a record of events and Revelation is a record of events and messages that God wants to share messages that God wants to share with the people. Revelation is with the people. Revelation is contained in the Bible, although contained in the Bible, although Christians believe that God has Christians believe that God has spoken at different times and in spoken at different times and in different ways “and continue to talk different ways “and continue to talk to humanity through the people and to humanity through the people and events.events.

2.4 Incarnation2.4 Incarnation

For the Christians, Incarnation is For the Christians, Incarnation is God’s mysterious way of getting God’s mysterious way of getting closer to humanity and of closer to humanity and of establishing a deeper dialogue with establishing a deeper dialogue with us through Jesus Christ. People of us through Jesus Christ. People of different religions, and Christians, as different religions, and Christians, as well, find this mystery of the well, find this mystery of the incarnation as something beyond incarnation as something beyond human expectations. human expectations.

But nothing is impossible to God. He But nothing is impossible to God. He was born poor and died on the cross, was born poor and died on the cross, but on the third day he rose again and but on the third day he rose again and ascended to heaven and he will come ascended to heaven and he will come again. The whole life of Jesus was a again. The whole life of Jesus was a great sign of dialogue and his great sign of dialogue and his teaching was about love.teaching was about love.

3. Spirituality 3. Spirituality

of Life-in-Dialogueof Life-in-Dialogue

Upon discovering God’s Dialogue in Upon discovering God’s Dialogue in the Holy Bible a Christian is called to the Holy Bible a Christian is called to answer to God’s dialogue with a life-answer to God’s dialogue with a life-in-dialogue with God, with oneself, in-dialogue with God, with oneself, with others and with Creation. This with others and with Creation. This answer with life, becomes an answer with life, becomes an experience of faith that we call experience of faith that we call spirituality of life-in-dialogue.spirituality of life-in-dialogue.

Teaching and Praxis Teaching and Praxis of Christians in of Christians in

DialogueDialogue

A.A. Dialogue starts from God and Dialogue starts from God and brings people back to God. brings people back to God.

Inter-cultural and inter-religious Inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue is a new horizon in dialogue is a new horizon in Christian life and spirituality. It helps Christian life and spirituality. It helps to meet the human and spiritual to meet the human and spiritual aspirations of humanity expressed in aspirations of humanity expressed in different culture and religionsdifferent culture and religions

Thus, dialogue is indeed a “new Thus, dialogue is indeed a “new journey”. It becomes a pilgrimage journey”. It becomes a pilgrimage when people realize that they are when people realize that they are journeying with God and others journeying with God and others who believe in dialogue.who believe in dialogue.

B. A new era of dialogue started in the B. A new era of dialogue started in the Church with Vat II and the latest three Church with Vat II and the latest three Popes; the first of whom was John Popes; the first of whom was John XXIII who “opened the doors” of XXIII who “opened the doors” of inter-religious dialogue in the Church inter-religious dialogue in the Church with the historical expression: “We with the historical expression: “We have to look at what unites people, have to look at what unites people, rather than what divides them”rather than what divides them”

Pope John XXIII – was the one who Pope John XXIII – was the one who started Vat II and when he met a started Vat II and when he met a Hebrew delegation he said “We are Hebrew delegation he said “We are brothers”. This new attitude was brothers”. This new attitude was considered a new revolution inside the considered a new revolution inside the Church. Christians are still discovering Church. Christians are still discovering and implementing Vat II.and implementing Vat II.

Pope Paul VI – meeting with Pope Paul VI – meeting with religious leaders in Bombay, India in religious leaders in Bombay, India in January 1964 said. “We do not have January 1964 said. “We do not have to meet only as tourists, but as to meet only as tourists, but as pilgrims that start a journey searching pilgrims that start a journey searching for God not in buildings of stones but for God not in buildings of stones but in the hearts of humankind”. in the hearts of humankind”.

Documents: Documents:

Ecclesiam Suam, Nostra Aetate, Ecclesiam Suam, Nostra Aetate, Lumen Gentium, Ecclesia in AsiaLumen Gentium, Ecclesia in Asia

Sources: Sources:

Dialogue and Peace ModuleDialogue and Peace Module

by Fr. Sebastiano D’ Ambra, PIMEby Fr. Sebastiano D’ Ambra, PIME

Silsilah Dialogue MovementSilsilah Dialogue Movement