WORD OF GODWORD OF GOD

IN THE LIFE AND IN THE LIFE AND MISSIONMISSION

OF THEOF THE

CHURCHCHURCH

SCRIPTURAL FRAMEWORKSCRIPTURAL FRAMEWORKFOR REFLECTION ONFOR REFLECTION ONQUESTIONS 8-9QUESTIONS 8-9

Luke 24:13-35• IMPACT (How did the Word of God impact on the new

decision/direction of the two disciples?) Their eyes of faith were opened to understanding: (1) their contemporary contextual situation in light of, (2) the presence of the Risen Christ in the midst of that complex and complicated reality

= Inspired a spirit of Hospitality+ accommodating the stranger

(Risen Christ) + listening to the stranger’s

interests and insights in the scriptures+ Invitation into their “home”

Luke 24:13-35• Proclaimed (How was the Word of God proclaimed.

. .?= Jesus perspective:

+ Courage to enter and approach a violent contextual reality and stubborn humanity

+ Enlightened Understanding of the scriptures in light of

history and contemporary context

Luke 24:13-35• Proclaimed

= Two disciples perspective:+ Courage & Obedience:

returning to the contextual situation to share their Faith in the Risen Christ

Luke 24:13-35• Factors that foster listening (Hospitality)

= allocating time to listen to voices of strangers and the

crucified peoples experience= allocating time to reflect on the

experience of strangers = welcoming strangers (crucified) into the communities ‘space’

Luke 24:13-35• Factors that hinder listening

= Paralysis by the contextual reality= separation from the community and the contextual reality of the community= Creation of a dichotomy between the scriptures and the Contextual reality

PARISH REPORTSPARISH REPORTSON THE ON THE

WORD OF GOD WORD OF GOD IN THE IN THE

LIFE AND MISSION LIFE AND MISSION OF THE OF THE CHURCHCHURCH

Impact on Synod Initiatives

Scripture was used as the basis for discerning and understanding the vision, mission and pastoral focus of ministries. For example, use of Lectio Divina

Inspiration of the development of STEWARDSHIP AND EVANGELIZATION programmes

Proclamation of the Word of God

Reports focused on the liturgical proclamation of the Word of God

+ Need for training

+ Need for adequate preparations by

priest, lector and congregation

+ Need for proper proclamation at the

liturgies

Factors – fostering listening

Reports focused on the Liturgical proclamation of the Word

= Environmental factors

Eg. Good Acoustics

= Human factors

Eg. Trained Lectors

= Divine role

Eg. Open to the work of the Spirit

Factors – hinders listening

Reports focused on the Liturgical proclamation of the Word

= Environmental factors Eg. Noise= Human factors Eg. Movements during proclamation

GENERAL COMMENTSGENERAL COMMENTS

Awareness of the nature, role and Awareness of the nature, role and importance of the Word of God in the importance of the Word of God in the life and mission of the Churchlife and mission of the Church

Awareness of the sacredness of the Awareness of the sacredness of the Word of God especially when Word of God especially when proclaimed liturgicallyproclaimed liturgically

A general bias on the Word of God A general bias on the Word of God liturgically proclaimedliturgically proclaimed

Limited reference to the Word of God Limited reference to the Word of God as proclaimed by community through as proclaimed by community through its Synod initiatives or Goals its Synod initiatives or Goals

General CommentsGeneral Comments

Insufficient reflection on how the Word of God has Insufficient reflection on how the Word of God has shaped or influenced the specific direction of shaped or influenced the specific direction of individual communitiesindividual communities

= For example a community’s = For example a community’s response to violence, or abortionresponse to violence, or abortion

Insufficient reflection on a reading of the Insufficient reflection on a reading of the contemporary contextual reality in relation to the contemporary contextual reality in relation to the Word of GodWord of God

= Violence= Violence= Culture of death= Culture of death= Social Injustice= Social Injustice= Human Rights Issues= Human Rights Issues= Land distribution (question squatting = Land distribution (question squatting & &

affordability)affordability)

General CommentsGeneral Comments

= Ethics (business, political, media)= Ethics (business, political, media)= Interaction and impact between = Interaction and impact between global and local cultures global and local cultures= Development of a contemporary = Development of a contemporary youth culture youth culture= Development of ‘Dancehall’ culture= Development of ‘Dancehall’ culture

and its impact on the society and and its impact on the society and churchchurch

= Environmental issues= Environmental issues