Words of the Word

Week 17, Monday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day (ETD)

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

70. In addition to mentioning some negative aspects, the responses to the Lineamenta also highlighted how the Christian experience has undoubtedly benefited from the emergence of these sectors. For example, many responses speak of the positive effects of the continuing migration process in the meeting and exchange of gifts among the particular Churches and in the ability to draw energy and vitality from the Christian faith of immigrant communities. Through contact with non-Christians, Christian communities have been able to learn that mission is no longer a North-South or East-West movement. Therefore, we need to go beyond the present geographic confines; mission, today, extends to all five continents. We must recognize that even in traditionally Christian countries, there are sectors and areas foreign to the faith, because in them people have never encountered the faith and not simply as a result of drifting from the Church. Going beyond continental borders means having the energy to raise the question of God in every step of the process of encountering, interchanging and reconstructing social relations which are taking place everywhere. The Synod could be a place for a fruitful exchange of these experiences.

71. The economic sector, with its changes, has also been seen as a favorable place in witnessing to our faith. Many responses described the efforts of many Christian communities on behalf of the poor, an activity which can boast of ancient origins and a fruitfulness which is still very promising. In today’s serious, widespread economic crisis, many responses have mentioned an increase in charitable activity by Christian communities through the establishment of additional institutions dedicated to supporting the poor, and programs within particular Churches to develop a greater awareness of charitable work. Many responses wanted the works of charity to be given greater prominence as an instrument of the new evangelization. The dedication and solidarity of many Christian communities towards the poor, the charitable works in which they are engaged and the simplicity of their life-style in a world which places great emphasis on buying and having, are a particularly beneficial means in proclaiming the Gospel and witnessing to our faith. (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 2: Time for a New Evangelization,” paragraph 70-71)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

To my wórds give éar, O Lórd, give héed to my gróaning. (Psalm 5:2-2, Liturgy of the Hours: Morning Prayer).

COLLECT

O God, protector of those who hope in you,
without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy,
bestow in abundance your mercy upon us
and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide,
we may use the good things that pass
in such a way as to hold fast even now
to those that ever endure.
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. Amen.

EVANGELIZING THOUGHT of the DAY (ETD)

Today’s selections from the Instrumentum Laboris once again address concerns within the previously examined sectors of life: migration and the economy. In compiling responses from all parts of the world, the document notes positively the contributions of migration and the economy to Christian living. Migration, as a global phenomenon, brings peoples of diverse culture in touch with each other that provides the potential for human life ‘to be more rounded,’ more complete. Obviously for that to work, people must be open to embracing the positive dimensions of other’s culture and above all, to discern how elements in everyone’s culture is at the service of the encounter with the Person, Jesus Christ.

Similarly, the economic sector of life is viewed for its positive contributions, especially in working with the poor. The impact of the global recession and the sputters to rebound have left many people facing tremendous hardship when it comes to the necessities of life. The Instrumentum Laboris notes that many people have ‘stepped up to the plate,’ and are actively engaged in the charitable work of the Church, tending to the needs of all in fidelity to Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 25:31-45).

Consider:

What challenges do you face in your parish when it comes to welcoming people from other cultures?
Does your parish actively work to alleviate the burdens of the poor? How can you assist?

Ordinary Time, Sunday 17. Words of the Word.

ANTIPHON

“God is in His holy place, God Who unites those who dwell in His house; He Himself gives might and strength to His people. (Psalm 68:6-7)

COLLECT

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs. (Psalm 145:16).

GOSPEL EXCERPT

After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee [of Tiberias]. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs (σημεῖα, semeia) he was performing on the sick (John 6:1-2).
When the people saw the sign (σημεῖον, semeion) he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone (John 6:14-15).

REFLECTION

What is a sign? In 1971 “Signs,” a popular song by Five Man Electrical Band, sung of the plethora of these visible markers as well as in their estimation, the restrictions ‘signs’ attempted to impose on people and life. As we begin listening to the “Bread of Life” discourse in the Gospel according to Saint John this Sunday, we are immediately hit with the reality of “sign,” a term very important in the Johannine Gospel as well as in Sacramental Theology.

In antiquity, σημεῖον (semeion) meant “to mark,” “to indicate” or “to identify.” These meanings suggest that σημεῖον is a reality that ‘hits the senses.’ While we tend to connect “sign” to a visual experience, in the Greco-Roman world of the first century “sign” could be any reality that stimulated the senses. Biblical scholars note that when used throughout the pages of the New Testament, σημεῖον always involves people who then have a responsibility to act in a particular way because of the “sign.”

The difficulty of “sign” is that it is powerless in-and-of-itself to effect (to cause) what it signifies. For example, many are familiar with that red, octagon “sign” that appears on the corner of many intersections: the ‘Stop Sign.’ Of itself, the ‘stop sign’ does not cause a vehicle to stop. The driver must see the sign and decide to act in a way commensurate with the content or message of the sign. In terms of action, the “sign” expresses what is to be done, but it is up to the recipient to do what the sign communicates.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus performs key works that are termed “signs.” The Evangelist John does not use the term “miracle,” a word that comes into the theological vocabulary a bit later. For Saint John, Jesus’ “signs” are sensible realities; they impact the senses. People see what Jesus does. People hear was Jesus says. People taste the bread and the fish that are taken, blessed and given. But what do the people do with this particular “sign” or “signs”? The response to that question is the work of the next 4 Sundays as the “Bread of Life” discourse unfolds, ultimately posing a question – not only to the followers of Jesus in the first century but to us of the twenty-first century as well.

Week 16, Saturday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day (ETD)

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

68. The responses understood the sectors for what they are: signs of actual change which were seen as the context for the development of our religious experiences. Precisely for this reason, the changes in these sectors need to be taken up and purified, through a process of discernment, in their encountering and experiencing the Christian faith. Examining these sectors permits a critical reading of the way of life, the thinking and the discourses which they espouse and can serve as a self-examination which Christians are called upon to do, to see if the manner of life and the pastoral activity of Christian communities are, in fact, suited to the task and avoiding inactivity by attentively considering the future. Many particular Churches expect the Synod to be an opportune time to continue this discernment.

69. Various responses to the Lineamenta have attempted to identify the reasons for the decline in Christian practice by many of the Church's faithful, a true "silent apostasy", which would leave the Church in a position of not being able to respond adequately and convincingly to the challenges described in these sectors. In this regard, they recount a weakening in the faith of believers, a lack of personal involvement and experience in the transmission of the faith and insufficient spiritual guidance for the faithful in the process of their formative, intellectual and professional training. Many lament the excessive bureaucratic character of ecclesiastical structures, perceived as far removed from the average person and his everyday concerns, which causes a reduction in the dynamism of ecclesial communities, the loss of enthusiasm at its roots and a decline in missionary zeal. Some responses complained of the excessively formal character of liturgical celebrations, an almost routine celebration of rituals and the lack of a deep spiritual experience, which turn people away instead of attracting them. Despite the counter-witness of some of the Church's members (unfaithfulness in one's vocation, scandals, little sensitivity to the problems of everyday people and the world today), we are not to underestimate the "mysterium iniquitatis" (2 Thess 2:7), the war which the Dragon waged on the rest of the offspring of the Woman, on "those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus" (Rev 12:17). An objective evaluation of the situation must always consider the mystery of human freedom, a gift from God, which a person is free to use, even in a mistaken way, to rebel against God and to turn his back on the Church.
The new evangelization should seek to orientate every man and woman's human freedom towards God, who is the source of truth, goodness and beauty. Renewal in faith should help people overcome the previously mentioned obstacles to an authentic Christian life which is patterned according to the will of God, as expressed in the commandment to love God and neighbor (cf. Mk 12:33). (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 2: Time for a New Evangelization,” paragraph 68-69)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! (Psalm 84:2, Mass).

COLLECT

Show favor, O Lord, to Your servants
and mercifully increase the gifts of Your grace,
that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity,
they may be ever watchful in keeping Your commands.
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.

EVANGELIZING THOUGHT of the DAY (ETD)

The next section of this chapter, “Christians Within These Sectors,” considers specifically the responsibility of each Christian as well as the Christian community in living the Kingdom of God within the previously examined sectors of life. Once again, the calls to discernment and to conversion are essential to provide an authentic response to life in these arenas. It is easy to point fingers of blame elsewhere and miss the work that needs to be done ‘in our backyard (or front yard for that matter!).’ Proper discernment and ongoing daily conversion of heart, mind and body not only equips 1 and all for the tasks of evangelization uniquely entrusted to each, but also insures proper action in addressing the needs of the times.
Paragraph 69 is a gem, sadly, in that it concisely expresses some of the principle reasons why people have left the practice of the Faith: from bureaucracy to scandal and everything (and everyone) in between. The Instrumentum Laboris expresses once again that in order to respond genuinely to the tasks posed by the sectors of human living, we must permit the Spirit to get our lives – individually and ecclesiastically – in order. Only then will be have the strength and credibility to be agents of change for the healing and building up of the Kingdom of God in our midst.
Consider:

The summary causes of people leaving the practice of the Faith in paragraph 69 leave many with an overwhelming feeling that I as an individual believer can do nothing. Since each has been initiation into the Mysteries of Faith, each is equipped with the necessary talents, skills and abilities given as gifted-grace by the Holy Spirit. What graces of talent, time and treasury have you been given to engage the work of the New Evangelization?

Week 16, Thursday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day (ETD)

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

65. Many responses, however, have voiced a concern about the naive and emotional character of this return to a sense of religion. Instead of being a gradual and complex development in a person's search for truth, the return to religion, in many cases, has not been a very liberating experience. Consequently, the positive aspects of rediscovering God and the sacred are viewed as impoverished and obscured by a fundamentalism which frequently manipulates religion to justify acts of violence and, in extreme but fortunately limited cases, even terrorism.

66. According to the responses, this is the framework for treating the pressing problem of the proliferation of new religious groups which can be likened to sects. In this regard, they repeatedly cite the contention in the Lineamenta that these groups exercise an emotional and psychological dominance and promote a religion promising prosperity and success in life. At the same time, some responses state that the situation needs to be carefully watched so that Christian communities will not allow themselves to be influenced by these new forms of religious experience and give in to the temptation to imitate their aggressive, proselytizing methods, instead of following the Christian approach to proclaiming the Gospel. On the other hand, the responses insist that Christian communities need to approach proclaiming the Gospel and providing pastoral care in the faith in such a way that the presence of these religious groups could serve as a means for these Christian communities to become more zealous and prepared to work towards giving individuals a sense of meaning in their lives.

67. This situation gives even greater meaning to the Church's encounters and dialogue with the great religious traditions which have grown over the decades and continue to intensify. These encounters are a promising opportunity to better perceive the complexity of the vocabulary and forms of the element of religion in humanity as seen in other religious experiences. Such encounters and dialogue also allow Catholics better to understand the ways in which the Christian faith expresses the religious nature of the human soul. At the same time, they enrich the religious heritage of humanity with the unique character of the Christian faith. (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 2: Time for a New Evangelization,” paragraph 65-67)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

With you is the fountain of life, O Lord. (Psalm 36:10, Mass).

COLLECT

EVANGELIZING THOUGHT of the DAY (ETD)

For some who found the previous day’s discussion about religious revival interesting, today’s selections concerning the religious sector should put things into better perspective. “The return to religion, in many cases, has not been a very liberating experience” is a most telling statement. Similar to points raised earlier in the Instrumentum Laboris as well as in the Lineamenta, there is danger in the ongoing conversion experience when the intellect is not part of that experience. Not long ago, for example, a few people in different venues told me that I had to read ‘this book’ – a somewhat popular novel that sounded much like the Holy Trinity in the minds of these readers. I read the book and grasped a possible reasoning for the connections between the novel and the Holy Trinity. When I saw the group at a later date, I recommend some other titles, gems of the Christian Catholic theological and spiritual tradition. Even though these folks had never read the books I suggested, one immediately opined, “I’ll never understand it. They are way over my head and give me too much information.” Again, that statement was made without reading so much as a word from the titles I suggested.

Consider:

Why do you think there is an aversion to any solid study of Catholic Theology?
Why do so many choose to leave the intellect out of any approach to Christian living?

Week 16, Tuesday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day (ETD)

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

63. By necessity, the changes treated up to this point influence the way people express their sense of religion. The Lineamenta responses recommended adding religion as a seventh sector, thereby providing the means to more thoroughly understand, in many different cultures, the return of a religious sense and the need for various forms of spirituality, especially among the young. Even though the present process of secularization is leading to a weakened sense of the spiritual in many persons and an emptiness of heart, many regions of the world are showing signs of a significant religious revival. This phenomenon has an impact on the Catholic Church herself in providing resources and opportunities for evangelization which were not present a few decades ago.

64. The responses to the Lineamenta gave particular attention to this growing phenomenon, acknowledging both its complex character and undoubtedly positive aspects. In fact, the situation provides the opportunity to restore an element which is part of the human identity, namely religion, thereby going beyond the limitations and impoverishment of an idea of a person viewed only from a horizontal perspective. This phenomenon fosters religious experience and re-establishes its centrality in people's minds, in history, and in the meaning of life itself and the search for truth. (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 2: Time for a New Evangelization,” paragraph 63-64)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

Lord, show us your mercy and love. (Psalm 85:8, Mass).

COLLECT

EVANGELIZING THOUGHT of the DAY (ETD)

Five paragraphs address the “Religious Sector,” a sector not found in the Lineamenta but added to the Instrumentum Laboris based on global responses to the Lineamenta. While some might be shocked to read “many regions of the world are showing signs of a significant revival,” such a revival – wherever it is happening – is an indicator of the emptiness of secularism and narcissism. The human spirit cannot thrive on crass materialism and life lived according to the anthem, ‘I did it my way.’ The Instrumentum Laboris notes particularly the revival of a religious sense among young people. Ask anyone who has any contact with youth involved in Kairos retreats, World Youth Day or similar activities and you will hear joy-filled reports about the vitality and enthusiasm of faith. The Instrumentum Laboris sees this as an “opportunity to restore an element which is part of the human identity, namely religion, thereby going beyond the limitations and impoverishment of an idea of a person viewed only from a horizontal perspective.”

Consider:

Do you see a ‘religious revival’ happening in ‘your neck of the woods?’
With ‘religion’ popularly blasted for causing division in society, how can the Church help people to experience the ‘religious sense’ as a constitutive element of human identity?

Week 16, Monday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day (ETD)

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

61. The Church is engaged in these areas created by the media and has, from the very beginning, utilized these means as a useful way to proclaim the Gospel. Today, in addition to the more traditional means of communication, especially the printed word and radio, which, according to the responses, have moderately increased in recent years, new media are increasingly becoming a major factor in the Church's ministry of evangelization, making interaction possible at various levels: local, national, continental and global. The potential for using both old and new media is clear, as is the need to take advantage of this newly created social space and introduce the vocabulary and forms of the Christian tradition. An attentive and shared discernment process is needed not only to better assess the possibilities of their use in proclaiming the Gospel, but also to understand properly the risks and dangers involved.

62. Indeed, the spread of the culture created by communications undoubtedly brings many benefits. Among them are: a greater access to information; more opportunities for knowledge and dialogue; new forms of solidarity; and the ability to foster an increasingly global culture which leads to a shared heritage of values and the better development of thought and human activity. This potential, however, does not eliminate the dangers inherent in the excessive diffusion of such a culture. Their effects are already being manifested in a deeply, self-centred attentiveness to individual needs only, and an exaltation of emotion in relationships and social ties, thus leading to a diminution and loss of the objective value of deeply human experiences, such as meditation and silence. It equally is leading to an excess in holding to one's individual thinking and a gradual reduction of ethics and civic life to appearance only. These dangers might eventually result in a so-called culture which is short-lived, immediately gratifying and based on mere appearance or a society incapable of looking to either the past or the future. In such a situation, Christians must be bold in entering these "new areopaghi", learning to evaluate them in light of the Gospel and finding the instruments and methods to ensure that, even in these places, the educational patrimony and the wisdom guarded by Christian Tradition is heard today. (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 2: Time for a New Evangelization,” paragraph 61-62)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

To the upright I will show the saving power of God. (Psalm 50:23, Mass).

COLLECT

EVANGELIZING THOUGHT of the DAY (ETD)

When engaged with various groups discussing the Lineamenta, there were occasions when participants responded to statements with a respectful chuckle, a confused countenance or even an inquisitive and drawn-out “What?” Case in point: “The Church is engaged in these areas [communication] by the media and has, from the very beginning, utilized these means as a useful way to proclaim the Gospel.” I know a a good number of people, after reading this statement, said “Really?” At least in terms of their experience, some of the declarative statements in the Lineamenta and now in the Instrumentum Laboris as to what the Church is doing do not necessarily reflect reality in one’s particular geographical locale of Church. Others commented that when the Church would use some of these communication resources, they did not seek good input from acknowledged experts in the area and approached the task akin to ‘reinventing the wheel’ paying little to no regard to those who could contribute talent and thus make the Church’s use of technology more credible. Others mentioned that a attitude of minimalism exists even in the Church - 'just throw something up on the web, and that will be good enough' without any regard for the effectiveness of the project.

The task for credible and up-to-date use of communication technology is most urgent. Fr. Robert Barron, author of the famed Catholicism Series, has repeatedly noted that ‘others are telling OUR story’ and obviously when they do so, any reference or content of Gospel Truth is purely accidental. News travels at such speed today that if we as Church are not voicing Truth on a particular situation immediately, the spin-machines of contemporary media are already churning out a message. We end up behind the proverbial 8-ball not only trying to proclaim Truth, but to counter the destructive spin that is presented with all sorts of bling and glitz packaged into exceptionally short sound bites that most often are an affront to the human intellect. We need to take charge of OUR story and get that story out in all of its Truth AND liberating peace-filled joy! Our story is NOT the “gospel of no you can’t” (as is often portrayed) but the story of the encounter with the Person Jesus Christ Who came that we might have life and have it to the full ... AND .. Who calls us to daily sacrificial conversion!

Consider:

Like so many recommendations in the Lineamenta and Instrumentum Laboris, people nod their heads - 'Yes! we need to do this... or that... Let's have a meeting to discuss (and we all know the results). Without being simplistic, how do we as a Church effectively communicate the Person Jesus Christ in our world today?
How do we 'baptize' the Internet and use it credibly when resources for so many vital ministries of the Church are drying up?

Week 16, Sunday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day (ETD)

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

59. The Lineamenta responses also made note of communications, the sixth sector, which provide great opportunities today and, at the same time, represent a major challenge for the Church. Initially, communications was a characteristic of the industrialized world only. However, in today's globalized world, this sector also affects a vast number of developing countries. Every place on the globe, bar none, can be reached by communications, and is therefore subject to the influence of the electronic and media culture. These media are fast becoming the "forum" of civic life and social experience, which is sufficiently illustrated in the widespread use of the internet.

60. The responses refer to the generally-held belief that, today, the new digital technologies have given rise to an entirely new social space where the connections created have the potential of influencing society and culture. The media process, resulting from these technologies, is having an impact on people's lives and is changing reality itself by incisively entering into people's experiences and widening human potential. Our perception of self, others and the world are influenced by them. Communication technologies and the space created by them must therefore be viewed positively, without prejudice, as a resource which requires a discerning eye and a wise and responsible employment. (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 2: Time for a New Evangelization,” paragraph 59-60)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. (Psalm 23:1, Mass).

COLLECT

EVANGELIZING THOUGHT of the DAY (ETD)

The Instrumentum Laboris treats the sixth sector in a section of its own entitled, “The New Frontier of the Communications’ Sector.” Only the cultural sector received as much attention in the Instrumentum Laboris. The familiar language of “opportunity” and “challenge” colors points surfaced from the global input to the Lineamentum of 2011. Noting that the reality of communication is no longer the domain of the industrialized nations, the internet has made electronic and media culture a way of life among the richest and poorest people of the planet, although it must be acknowledged that not all people have equal access to these means of communication. This electronic and media culture not only impacts life, but widens people’s experiences and potential as noted by the Instrumentum Laboris. One can recall, as only 1 example of many, the non-violent revolution in the Middle East (Spring 2011) effected in large part due to electronic and digital communication. In the end, “communication technologies” are viewed a positive resource, yet a resource requiring the often heard call in the Instrumentum Laboris of discernment.

Consider:

How does the Instrumentum Laboris' statement, "Communication technologies and the space created by them must therefore be viewed positively, without prejudice, as a resource which requires a discerning eye and a wise and responsible employment" sit with you?

Week 15, Saturday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day (ETD)

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

57. The fourth sector is civic life. From the time of the Second Vatican Council to the present, the changes which have occurred in this sector can rightly be called momentous. The division of the western world into two blocks ended with the fall of the Communist ideology, leading to religious freedom and the possibility of reorganizing the Churches of ancient origin. The emergence on the world stage of new economic, political and religious actors from the Islamic and Asian worlds has created an entirely new and unknown situation, rich in potential, but fraught with dangers and new temptations for dominion and power. Many responses have highlighted a variety of urgent situations in this sector, namely, a commitment to peace; the development and liberation of peoples; better international regulation and interaction of national governments; the search for possible areas of listening, coexistence, dialogue and collaboration between different cultures and religions; the defence of human rights and peoples, especially minorities; the promotion of the most vulnerable; and the integrity of creation and a commitment to the future of our planet. Various particular Churches are engaged in dealing with these issues, which are being diligently pursued and fostered in the daily life of our communities.

58. The fifth sector is scientific research and technology. We live in an age that still marvels at the wonders of the continuing achievements which result from research in these fields. Each day, we have the possibility of experiencing the benefits of these advances and are increasingly becoming dependent upon them. Inherent in the many positive aspects is the danger of excessive expectations and manipulation. Today, science and technology run the risk of becoming the new idols of the present. In a digitalized and globalized world, science can easily become "our new religion". New forms of gnosis are arising which make technology a form of wisdom where an almost magical approach to life leads to concepts of "knowing" and "meaning", as witnessed in the rise of new cults, which exploit the religious practices of healing, readily followed by people, and are structured as religions promising prosperity and instant gratification. (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 2: Time for a New Evangelization,” paragraph 57-58)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

Do not forget the poor, O Lord! (Psalm 10:12, Mass).

COLLECT

O God, Who show the light of Your truth
to those who go astray,
so that they may return to the right path,
give all who for the faith they profess
are accounted Christians
the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the Name of Christ
and to strive after all that does It honor.
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.

EVANGELIZING THOUGHT of the DAY (ETD)

Changes that are too numerous to catalog and changes that are described as momentous characterize the Instrumentum Laboris’ treatment of the fourth sector: civic life. It is hard to keep abreast of all the developments occurring in societies throughout the word. Yet if that were not enough, the changes occurring in civil life bring a host of opportunities, challenges and questions that border on the infinite and, as such, risk imposing such an enormity on the human person that people may be tempted to avoid dealing with any challenge in the civic arena. This situation suggests that recapturing the dignity of the human person as created in the image and likeness of God is both urgent and key to address and to respond to any challenge in this sector as well as the technological sector.

Consider:

How can the momentous changes in civic life preserve and enhance the dignity of the human person?
With the unprecedented growth in technology and its use, what steps need to be taken in each person's life to 'humanize' the digital revolution?

Week 15, Friday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day (ETD)

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

55. The initial sector of culture is followed by the social sector and the treatment of the phenomenon of the great migration which is causing an increasing number of people to leave their country of origin to live in urban settings, resulting in a meeting and mixing of cultures and contributing to the erosion of basic reference points to life, values and the very bonds through which people build their identity and come to know the meaning of life. Joined to the spread of secularization, this process causes a situation of extreme cultural liquidity, which increasingly leaves less room for long-standing traditions, including religious ones. Linked to this sector is the social phenomenon called "globalization", a not-too-easily-understood reality which requires an intense work of discernment by the Christian. At times, this phenomenon carries a negative connotation, when it is seen as inevitable and linked to the economy and production. However, it can also be viewed as a time of growth, in which humanity can learn to develop new forms of solidarity and new ways of sharing development for the good of all.

56. The responses to the Lineamenta refer to a third sector, associated with the subject of migration, which is becoming more and more incisive in society: the economy. In great part a direct cause of migration, the economy is highlighted for the tensions and forms of violence related to it, and the inequality it causes within and among nations. Many responses, not simply those from developing countries, decried a clear and decisive increase in the separation between the rich and the poor. On innumerable occasions, papal magisterium has denounced the growing imbalance between the North and South in the access to and distribution of resources, as well as the damage done to creation. Today's continuing economic crisis is characterized by the problem of the use of both human and natural resources. Particular Churches are invited to live the evangelical ideal of poverty and are expected to do still more in terms of awareness and concrete activity, even if the media does not give sufficient coverage to them. (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 2: Time for a New Evangelization,” paragraph 55-56)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth. (Psalm 102:20, Mass).

COLLECT

EVANGELIZING THOUGHT of the DAY (ETD)

Social migration and the economy are the next sectors of life examined in the light of the New Evangelization. Certainly there is nothing ‘new’ about social migration and the economy: these have been part of human living from the very beginning. What marks the ‘new’ dimension of these sectors is the speed and depth of their affect on human living.

Consider:

Is it sufficient to simply ‘name’ the difficulties associated with the sectors of social migration and the economy? Must the New Evangelization grapple with the causes?

Week 15, Wednesday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day (ETD)

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

53. This subdued tone, which gives secularization its charm and seductive character, has also enabled it to enter the lives of Christians and Church communities, becoming not just an external threat to believers, but one inherent to everyday life. Traces of a secular understanding of life are seen in the habitual behavior of many Christians. The "death of God" proclaimed by many intellectuals in recent decades has given way to an unproductive, hedonistic and consumer mentality, which leads to a highly superficial manner in facing life and responsibility. In this way, faith runs the real risk of losing its fundamental elements. The influence of secularization in daily life makes it increasingly difficult to affirm the existence of truth, which, realistically speaking, eliminates the question of God from a person's examination of self. To respond to religious needs, persons revert to individualistic forms of spirituality or forms of neo-paganism to the point of forcibly spreading a general climate of relativism.

54. These dangers, however, must not overshadow the positive things which Christianity has learned from secularization. The saeculum is where believers and non-believers interact and share in a common humanity. This human element is the natural point for faith to enter and, consequently, can become the privileged place for evangelization. In the fully human nature of Jesus of Nazareth dwells the fullness of the deity (cf. Col 2:9). Purifying the human through the human nature of Jesus of Nazareth, Christians can create an encounter with people who exhibit a secularized mentality but continue to question what is really and truly human. Encountering these people in search of truth can help Christians purify and develop their faith. The inner struggle of people in search of truth, though not yet possessing the gift of faith, is a real incentive for us in our duty to live and witness to the faith, so that the true face of God can be seen by every person. In this regard, the responses showed great interest in the initiative of the "Courtyard of the Gentiles". (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 2: Time for a New Evangelization,” paragraph 53-54)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

The Lord will not abandon his people. (Psalm 94:15, Mass).

COLLECT

EVANGELIZING THOUGHT of the DAY (ETD)

‘Charming and seducing’ describe secularization in the Instrumentum Laboris. Both words help to explain why secularism is so difficult to battle because each has more than a passing appeal to those areas of life that have yet to be fully configured to the sacrifical selflessness of Jesus Christ. Worse still is the fact that since the Church and Her members are in the world (not of the world) secularism has managed to sink deep tentacles into ecclesial life that have caused scandal leading people to ask, ‘Is there any difference between the Church and the world?’ It does not help when institutionally the Church chooses ways of decision making that have more in common with a Fortune 500 company than the Gospel.

Consider:

Given secularism’s charming and seducing characteristics, how can the Church credibly speak to secularism’s dangers for the human person and human community?