Week 12, Saturday.

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

20. This first chapter gives particular attention to this fundamental aspect of evangelization, because the responses to the Lineamenta reported a need to restate the core of the Christian faith which is unknown by many Christians. Consequently, the theological foundation of the new evangelization should not be overlooked, but forcefully and authentically stated, so as to give energy and a proper framework to the Church's evangelizing activity.
20, continued. The new evangelization must initially be seen as an opportunity to gauge the faithfulness of Christians to the mandate received from Jesus Christ. The new evangelization is also an auspicious occasion (cf. 2 Cor 6:2) to return, as an individual Christian and a community, to drink from the source of our faith, and so become more disposed to undertake the work of evangelization and testimony. Indeed, before becoming action, evangelization and testimony are two states-of-mind which, as fruits of a faith in a continual state of purification and conversion, result in our lives from an encounter with Jesus Christ, the Good News of God to humanity. (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 1,” paragraph 20)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name through all the earth! Your majesty is set above the heavens. From the mouths of children and of babes you fashioned praise to foil your enemy, to silence the foe and the rebel. (Psalm 149:5-6, Liturgy of the Hours: Morning Prayer).

COLLECT

Grant, O Lord,
that we may always revere and love Your Holy Name,
for You never deprive of Your guidance
those You set firm on the foundation of Your love.
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)

The state of Faith is bluntly expressed: “a need to restate the core of the Christian faith which is unknown by many Christians.” Naturally the question that arises, ‘what is the core of the Christian Faith?’ Wrong question! The proper question is ‘WHO is the core of the Christian Faith?’ Refer to yesterday’s citation of paragraph 19: the action of grace prepares us to be attracted to Jesus and the encounter with Him sparks metanoia – that radical transformation of mind, heart and body according to the selfless, sacrificial life of Jesus Christ. (As a short aside, the Instrumentum Laboris describes metanoia as “the state of conversion strongly urged by Jesus himself.” Metanoia in Mark 1:15 is not “strongly urged,” it is commanded by Jesus because “the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Click here to read an earlier entry describing the Kingdom of God and click here to read an earlier entry describing metanoia.)

Hence, if the core of Christian Faith is a Person (Jesus Christ), and this Person draws each and all into an encounter that sparks metanoia, is this not then the ‘plan’ for Christian living? The difficulty is that the vast majority of Christians have been taught ABOUT Jesus, and never encountered him. Divine Revelation is quite clear – meeting the Person Jesus and permitting metanoia to occur, life - by definition - becomes different. One thinks differently. One speaks differently. One acts differently – and, all of these ‘different actions’ are first and foremost the result of an encounter, not study, reading or education. Study, reading, and education are good, but if the encounter has not led to a change of heart, no amount of study, reading or education will form a person in the Person Jesus Christ.

Consider:

• How can (or does) the Church provide an environment to encounter Jesus on the global, diocesan and parish level?
• How does the core of Christian Faith - encounter the Person Jesus leading to metanoia - address the present state of Christian living?

Week 12, Friday. Solemnity: Saints Peter and Paul: Apostles. Evangelizing Thought of the Day

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

18. The Christian faith is not simply teachings, wise sayings, a code of morality or a tradition. The Christian faith is a true encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ. Transmitting the faith means to create in every place and time the conditions which lead to this encounter between the person and Jesus Christ. The goal of all evangelization is to create the possibility for this encounter, which is, at one and the same time, intimate, personal, public and communal. Pope Benedict XVI stated: "Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. [...] Since God has first loved us (cf. 1 Jn 4:10), love is now no longer a mere 'command'; it is the response to the gift of love with which God draws near to us."[19] In the Christian faith, the encounter with Christ and the relationship with him takes place "in accordance to the Scriptures" (1 Cor 15:3, 4). The Church is formed precisely through the grace of this relationship.
19. This encounter with Jesus, through his Spirit, is the Father's great gift to humanity. We are prepared for this encounter through the action of grace in us. In such an encounter, we feel an attraction which leads to our transformation, causing us to see new dimensions to who we are and making us partakers of divine life (cf. 2 Pt 1:4). After this encounter, everything is different as a result of metanoia, that is, the state of conversion strongly urged by Jesus himself (cf. Mk 1:15). In a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, faith takes the form of a relationship with him and in remembrance of him, especially in the Eucharist and the Word of God, and creates in us the mind of Christ, through the Spirit, a mentality which makes us recognize our brothers and sisters, gathered by the Spirit in his Church, and, in turn, see ourselves as witnesses and heralds of this Gospel. This encounter equips us to do new things and witness to the transformation of our lives in the works of conversion as announced by the prophets (cf. Jer 3:6 ff; Ez 36:24-36). (Instrumentum Laboris, “Chapter 1,” paragraphs 18 and 19)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

For the LORD takes delight in his people; He crowns the poor with salvation. Let the faithful exult in glory, and rejoice as they take their rest. (Psalm 149: 5-6, “Morning Prayer,” Liturgy of the Hours).

COLLECT

Grant, we pray, O Lord our God,
that we may be sustained by the intercession of the
blessed Apostles Peter and Paul,
that, as through them You gave Your Church
the foundations of her heavenly office,
so through them You may help her to eternal salvation.
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)

Chapter 1 of the Instrumentum Laboris marks a development from the Lineamenta. In the Lineamenta, Chapter 1 addressed the factors and concerns of present culture calling for this New Evangelization. The Instrumentum Laboris, which has briefly addressed the need for the New Evangelization in the “Introduction,” clearly shifts the focus in its first chapter to the Person Jesus Christ.

Months ago, I was invited to a parish to offer a series of 3 presentations on the Lineamenta and how the New Evangelization might impact Catholic Christian living. I recall 1 person, who seemed uncomfortable with much of what I was presenting from the Lineamenta, standing up and saying: “This talk is not Catholic.” When I inquired what aspect(s) of the presentation was not Catholic, the person responded, “All this talk of encounter, person and relationship. Catholic is about going to Church on Sunday and that’s it!” There was silence in the hall and the person left.

Admittedly, that was an extreme response and I had hoped for an opportunity to talk with the person afterwards. It did get me thinking, though, that some are finding this ‘language’ somewhat new and challenging. Some are finding the ‘language’ a welcomed development, which technically is not a development. Such has been part of the Church’s rich Tradition that certainly has application today.

Consider:

• Has religious education missed the fact that “The Christian faith is a true encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ”?
• How does the fact that “The Christian faith is a true encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ” challenge the living of the Faith today?

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

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

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.

EVANGELIZING THOUGHT of the DAY (ETD)

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?

Week 12, Wednesday. Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Evangelizing Thought of the Day

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

10. “The idea of renewing the Church's evangelizing activity, expressed most recently in the previously mentioned decisions of Pope Benedict XVI, has a long history. This same idea inspired the teaching and apostolic ministry of Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. In fact, the origin of the idea can be traced to the Second Vatican Council and its desire to respond to a sense of disorientation experienced by Christians facing powerful changes and divisions which the world was experiencing at that time. The Church's response was not characterized by pessimism or resignation, but the regenerating power of the universal call to salvation, desired by God for each individual.
12. In the wake of the Council, Pope Paul VI perceptively observed that the duty of evangelization needed to be proposed again with greater force and urgency, because of the de-Christianization of many ordinary people who, despite being baptized, live a life not in keeping with their Christian faith or express some kind of faith but have an imperfect knowledge of its basic tenets. An increasing number of people are sensing a need to know Jesus Christ in a different way from what they were taught as children. Faithful to conciliar teaching, Pope Paul VI added that the Church's evangelizing activity "must constantly seek the proper means and language for presenting, or representing, to them God's revelation and faith in Jesus Christ.” (Instrumentum Laboris, “Introduction,” paragraphs 10 and 12)

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

My heart is ready, O God; my heart is ready. I will sing, I will sing your praise. Awake, my soul; awake, O lyre and harp. I will awake the dawn. (Psalm 108:2-3, Liturgy of the Hours, Morning Prayer).

COLLECT

O God, Who made the Bishop Saint Cyril of Alexandria
an invincible champion of the Divine Motherhood
of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray,
that we, who believe she is truly the Mother of God,
may be saved through the Incarnation of 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)

Today’s selections from the Instrumentum Laboris trace the development of the New Evangelization since the time of Vatican II and through the pontificates of Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Note once again the acknowledgement of “disorientation experienced by Christians facing powerful changes and divisions which the world was experiencing at that time.” One might argue that those unnamed “powerful changes and divisions” have gotten only stronger since the close of the Council and have ramped up the need for an urgent response... the Council’s antidote: the universal call to salvation.

Consider:

• What do you consider to be powerful changes and divisions threatening the life of faith?
• How and why does the universal call to salvation [and holiness] address these changes and divisions?

Week 12, Tuesday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day

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

7. All these changes are contributing to a widespread disorientation which leads to forms of distrust of all that has been passed down about the meaning of life and to an unwillingness to adhere in a total, unconditional manner to what has been revealed as the profound truth of our being. This detachment from the faith is increasingly being witnessed in societies and cultures which for centuries appeared instilled with the Gospel. Increasingly considered an intimate and individual matter, faith has become a presupposition, even for many Christians, who continue to be justly concerned about the social, cultural and political implications in preaching the Gospel, but have not been sufficiently trained to keep alive their faith and their community, a faith which, like an invisible flame with its charity, nourishes and gives life to all the other actions of life. This situation, running the risk of weakening the faith, and consequently, the ability to bear witness to the Gospel, has unfortunately become a reality in most of the countries where, for centuries, the Christian faith has contributed to the upbuilding of culture and society.
9. The convocation of the Synod on the new evangelization and the transmission of the Faith is part of a determined effort to give new fervour to the faith and to the testimony of Christians and their communities. The decision to focus the synod's deliberations on this topic is, in fact, one element in a unified plan, the most recent occurrences of which have been the establishment of a dicastery for the promotion of the new evangelization as well as the proclamation of The Year of Faith. Consequently, the celebration of the Synod is expected to enliven and energize the Church in undertaking a new evangelization, which will lead to a rediscovery of the joy of believing and a rekindling of enthusiasm in communicating the faith. The question is not simply devising something new or undertaking unprecedented initiatives in spreading the Gospel, but living the faith in the spirit of it being a divine proclamation: "Mission renews the Church, revitalizes faith and the Christian identity, and offers fresh enthusiasm and new incentive. Faith is strengthened when it is given to others!" Instrumentum Laboris, “Introduction,” paragraphs 7 and 9

PSALM for TODAY (click for full Psalm)

I will walk with blameless heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes whatever is base. (Psalm 101:3, Liturgy of the Hours, Morning Prayer).

COLLECT

Grant, O Lord,
that we may always revere and love Your Holy Name,
for You never deprive of Your guidance
those You set firm on the foundation of Your love.
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)

Faith – a living trust in the Person Jesus Christ – is presented in the Instrumentum Laboris as vital in addressing the concerns of present times that challenge the very constitution and identity of the human person. The Church recognizes that many Christians are rightly concerned about rectifying the ills of the age, but do not see the role that Faith has in such a transformation. It is as if human ingenuity, human prowess and collective brainstorming to develop various programs will be sufficient to create a human utopia.

Consider:

• How integral do I view the Gift of Faith for day-to-day living?
• How does Faith assist in being put-in-communion-with the Person, Jesus Christ?

Week 12, Monday. Evangelizing Thought of the Day

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

4. Many responses stressed the urgency for all of us to consider how the Church today is responding to her fundamental call to evangelize and to assess her resources in meeting today's challenges and avoid any danger of a dispersion of energy or fragmented efforts. Many particular Churches (dioceses, eparchies, Churches sui juris) and various episcopal conferences and synods of the Eastern Churches have for the past several years evaluated their programmes in proclaiming and witnessing to the faith. The responses provided an impressive list of initiatives undertaken by various ecclesial realities. Over the last ten years, a number of particular Churches have documented and planned pastoral projects on evangelization and its renewal. Programmes on the diocesan, national and continental levels have been designed to raise awareness and offer support. Training centres were also created for Christians called to engage in these projects.
5. Given the considerable number of initiatives and their reported positive and negative aspects — since not all the initiatives undertaken have produced the desired results — the convocation of the Synod is seen as a timely opportunity for the entire Catholic Church to listen, discern and, above all, give a unified response to what we are called to do. Hopefully, the upcoming synodal assembly will be an event to energize Christian communities and, at the same time, provide concrete answers to the many questions facing the Church today and the resources available in her evangelizing activity. The Synod is expected to be not only a source of encouragement but also the place to compare experiences and share observations on situations and approaches for action. Instrumentum Laboris, “Introduction,” paragraphs 4 and 5

PSALM for TODAY

Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us. (Psalm 60:7, Week 12, Monday Mass).

COLLECT

Grant, O Lord,
that we may always revere and love Your Holy Name,
for You never deprive of Your guidance
those You set firm on the foundation of Your love.
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 phrase “Many responses” or phrases of similar words abound in the text of the Instrumentum Laboris giving clear evidence that much in this document has been culled from responses sent to Rome since the emergence of the Lineamenta in March 2011. Such should assist all members of the Church to come to a greater awareness of each person’s role in the urgent work of the New Evangelization. None of us in the Church can afford the luxury of being a spectator because “so-and-so,” who always volunteers for things in the parish, will take care of this as well.

Paragraph 5 raises another important point for the work of the New Evangelization. How unified are the efforts of the Church (global, diocesan, parish) in the Mission Jesus has entrusted to her? While much great work is done on so many levels in the Church, the Instrumentum Laboris is raising a question that perhaps we need to ask ourselves – in the light of prayer and fasting – who are we as a Church? What is our essential reason for existence?

Consider:

• What ‘stake’ do I have in the work of the New Evangelization?
• What can I concretely contribute to this mission?
• Make a list of the activities of your parish.
• Do all the actions of the parish express a single, unified purpose for being?
• Do all the actions of the parish serve to bring people into communion with the Person, Jesus?

Week 12, Sunday. The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

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

This renewed dynamism in the Christian community will lead to renewed missionary activity (missio ad gentes), now more urgent than ever, given the large number of people who do not know Jesus Christ, in not only far-off countries but also those already evangelized.
By allowing themselves to be animated by the Holy Spirit, Christians will then be more attuned to their brothers and sisters who, despite being baptized, have drifted from the Church and Christian practice. The new evangelization is primarily directed to these people so that they can rediscover the beauty of their Christian faith and the joy of a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus in the Church and the community of the faithful. This Instrumentum laboris treats the afore-mentioned subjects and will serve as the agenda for the upcoming synodal assembly. The document is a summary of the responses to the questions in the Lineamenta, which were submitted by the synods of bishops from the Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris, the episcopal conferences, the departments of the Roman Curia and the Union of Superiors General as well as other institutions and communities of the faithful, who wished to participate in the Church's reflection on the synod topic. Assisted by the Ordinary Council and the valuable contribution of experts, the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops prepared this document which describes many promising aspects of evangelization reflected in the Church on all five continents. At the same time, it proposes various topics for consideration so that the Church may continue to perform adequately her work of evangelization, while taking into account the many challenges and difficulties of the present moment. Encouraged by the Lord's words, "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me." (Jn 14:1) and clearly guided by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, the synod fathers are preparing themselves to reflect on these matters in an atmosphere of prayer, listening and affective and effective communion. They will not undertake this work alone; they will be accompanied by those continuing to pray for the synod. Looking to the communion of the Church Triumphant, the members of the XIII Ordinary General Assembly trust in the intercession of the saints, in particular the Virgin Mary, who is blessed because "she believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord" (Lk 1:45). The All-Good and Merciful God is constantly extending his hand to humanity and the Church and is always prepared to do justice for his elect, who are invited to grasp his hand and, in faith, seek his assistance. This situation should not be presupposed, as indicated by the forceful words of Jesus: "When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Lk 18:8). Therefore, at the present time, the Church and all Christians need to repeat the following prayer over and over again: "I believe, help my unbelief!" (Mk 9:24). To ensure that this synodal assembly meets these expectations and the needs of the Church in our time, we invoke the grace of the Holy Spirit, whom God "has poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 3:6), and again call out to the Lord Jesus, "Increase our faith!" (Lk 17:5). Instrumentum Laboris, paragraphs 7 through 11

PSALM for TODAY

O God, you are my God; at dawn I seek you; for you my soul is thirsting. For you my flesh is pining, like a dry, weary land without water. I have come before you in the sanctuary, to behold your strength and your glory. (Psalm 63:2-3, Morning Prayer, Liturgy of the Hours).

COLLECT

O God, Who raised up Saint John the Baptist
to make ready a nation fit for Christ the Lord,
give Your people, we pray
the grace of spiritual joys
and direct the hearts of all the faithful
into the way of salvation and peace.
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 plea of the disciples to Jesus that opened this Preface, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5), is the same plea that brings the Preface to a close and expresses a core of the New Evangelization. In doing so, the Instrumentum Laboris expresses a particular approach to “faith” that may be ‘new’ to many ‘cradle Catholics:’ “a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus in the Church and the community of the faithful.” Faith is the Gift of relational living that flows from an encounter with the Person, Jesus Christ. Faith is not some-THING that I engage when I cannot explain various dimensions of Christian teaching. Faith is not a crutch that suspends intellectual curiosity or deeper probing into the heart of Divine Life and Mystery.

Consider:

• How does “Faith” – the relationship with the Lord Jesus in the Church affect and effect daily living?
• How might this approach to Faith alter the Church’s approach to religious formation for children and adults?
• What are the dangers of knowing about the Lord and His Church and not encountering Him as Person?