Week 12, Thursday. Saint Irenaeus: Bishop and Martyr. Evangelizing Thought of the Day

DAILY SEQUENTIAL EXCERPTS from The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith – Instrumentum Laboris:

15. “Synodal discussion is expected to result in a developed and heightened treatment of the work that has taken place in the Church in recent decades. The considerable number of initiatives and documents already produced on evangelization and its renewal indicates that many particular Churches were not so much awaiting word on what to do, as seeking a place to hear about all that has been done so far. More than one response reported that simply the announcement of the topic and that work had begun on the Lineamenta caused Christian communities to feel stronger and more committed to the urgent character today of the imperative of the new evangelization, and, as a further benefit, to enjoy a sense of communion which allowed them to approach everyday challenges with a different spirit.
16. Many responses do not overlook the problem the Church is facing in the challenge of the new evangelization, namely, that the changes previously discussed not only affect the world and culture, but also herself in the first person, that is, her communities, her activities and her conception of herself. This situation, therefore, calls for a process of discernment, which can also serve as a way of responding to the current situation with greater courage and responsibility. In keeping with this idea, the Instrumentum laboris was drafted in four chapters which are useful in providing the basic content and means for fostering this reflection and discernment.” Instrumentum Laboris, “Introduction,” paragraphs 15 and 16


Help us, O God our savior, for the sake of the glory of your name. Free us and forgive us our sins, because of your name. (Psalm 79:9, Mass).

COLLECT
O God, Who called the Bishop Saint Irenaeus
to confirm true doctrine and
the peace of the Church,
grant, we pray, through his intercession
that, being renewed in faith and charity,
we may always be intent on fostering
unity and concord.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.


As the “Introduction” of the Instrumentum Laboris comes to a close, 2 points are worth pondering. First: in many areas of the world the work of Evangelization is already well underway. Responses to the Lineamenta that helped shape the Instrumentum Laboris indicate an eagerness to listen to everyone engaged in this work and share the ‘successes’ and ‘failures,’ humanly speaking, of evangelization. Second: responses to the Lineamenta appear to indicate that the Church has much to offer – not only the world, but herself as well.

Consider:

  • Is there an ‘eagerness’ about evangelization in your life and in your parish?
  • What factors contribute or harm ‘an environment’ conducive for evangelization?

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