biblical evangelization: a pauline initiative

Biblical EvangelizationBiblical Evangelization

Days of Biblical Spirituality &New Evangelization

The Spirit is the principal agent in this new evangelization.

NewNew

It is as old as the final mandate of Jesus, It is as old as the final mandate of Jesus, “Go, teach all nations!,” yet as fresh as “Go, teach all nations!,” yet as fresh as God’s Holy Word proclaimed at Mass. God’s Holy Word proclaimed at Mass.

New expression, new methods, new ardor.New expression, new methods, new ardor.

Re-propose the faith to those who have left.Re-propose the faith to those who have left.

Encounter the secular culture and the non-Encounter the secular culture and the non-Christian world.Christian world.

BiblicalBiblical

Since the time of the counter reformation Since the time of the counter reformation the Catholic Church mostly defined itself the Catholic Church mostly defined itself sacramentally. sacramentally.

Protestants mostly defined themselves by Protestants mostly defined themselves by personal relationship, scripture and personal relationship, scripture and evangelism.evangelism.

Vatican II documents emphasize scripture Vatican II documents emphasize scripture and evangelization.and evangelization.

Second Vatican CouncilSecond Vatican Council

Lumen GentiumLumen Gentium

Gaudium et Spes Gaudium et Spes

Ad Gentes Ad Gentes

Refined the Church’s understanding of her Refined the Church’s understanding of her evangelical duty, defining the entire evangelical duty, defining the entire Church as missionary, that all Christians, Church as missionary, that all Christians, by reason of baptism, confirmation, and by reason of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, are evangelizers. Eucharist, are evangelizers.

Synod on EvangelizationSynod on EvangelizationProposal 11Proposal 11

New Evangelization and the New Evangelization and the Prayerful Reading of Sacred ScripturPrayerful Reading of Sacred Scripturee

God has communicated himself to us in his Word God has communicated himself to us in his Word made flesh. This made flesh. This divine Worddivine Word, heard and celebrated , heard and celebrated in the in the LiturgyLiturgy of the Church, particularly in the of the Church, particularly in the EucharistEucharist, strengthens interiorly the faithful and , strengthens interiorly the faithful and renders them capable of authentic renders them capable of authentic evangelicalevangelical witness in daily life. witness in daily life. The Synod Fathers desire that the divine word “be The Synod Fathers desire that the divine word “be ever more ever more fully at the heartfully at the heart of every ecclesial of every ecclesial activity” activity” ((Verbum Domini,Verbum Domini, 11).).

Synod on EvangelizationSynod on EvangelizationThe gate to Sacred Scripture should be The gate to Sacred Scripture should be open to all open to all believersbelievers. . In the In the context of the New Evangelizationcontext of the New Evangelization every every opportunity for the study of opportunity for the study of Sacred ScriptureSacred Scripture should should be made available. be made available. The Scripture should The Scripture should permeatepermeate homilies, catechesis homilies, catechesis and every effort to pass on the faith. and every effort to pass on the faith. In consideration of the necessity of In consideration of the necessity of familiarityfamiliarity with the with the Word of God for the New Evangelization and for the Word of God for the New Evangelization and for the spiritual growthspiritual growth of the faithful, the Synod encourages of the faithful, the Synod encourages dioceses, parishes, small Christian communities to dioceses, parishes, small Christian communities to continue serious continue serious study of the Bible study of the Bible andand lectio divina,lectio divina, the prayerful reading of the Scripturesthe prayerful reading of the Scriptures (cf. (cf. Dei VerbumDei Verbum, 21-22)., 21-22).

AlberioneAlberione

““Like Paul at the dawn of Like Paul at the dawn of Christianity, he heralded Christianity, he heralded in his person and his in his person and his message the central call message the central call of the Gospel: total of the Gospel: total configuration with Christ.” configuration with Christ.”

John Paul IIJohn Paul II

AlberioneAlberioneHe spoke of particular celebrations of the He spoke of particular celebrations of the Bible as Gospel days and weeks. These Bible as Gospel days and weeks. These were forms of diffusion of the word of God were forms of diffusion of the word of God with the goal of promoting unity between with the goal of promoting unity between the Gospel and the Eucharist in Christian the Gospel and the Eucharist in Christian life.life.

AlberioneAlberione

“The Gospel in every family!” was Alberione’s rallying cry, years before the second Vatican Council’s Dei Verbum was promulgated.

New Evangelization: Key ConceptsNew Evangelization: Key Concepts

At the heart of evangelization is JesusAt the heart of evangelization is Jesus

Historical Jesus and the Christ of faithHistorical Jesus and the Christ of faith

Conversion – transformation in Christ/disciplesConversion – transformation in Christ/disciples

Inculturation – mutual learning & evangelizationInculturation – mutual learning & evangelization

Liberation – from sin and social evilLiberation – from sin and social evil

Ecumenism/Inter-religious dialogue Ecumenism/Inter-religious dialogue

Secular – engaging the worldSecular – engaging the world(not Secularism which doesn’t acknowledge religious freedom.)(not Secularism which doesn’t acknowledge religious freedom.)

Every baptized Christian is called to evangelize.Every baptized Christian is called to evangelize.

Goal of Pauline Biblical EvangelizationGoal of Pauline Biblical EvangelizationTo awaken and nurture the faith, build the church, and To awaken and nurture the faith, build the church, and

transform the culture. In transform the culture. In practicalpractical steps it consists of steps it consists of

Providing an opportunity for each person in a Providing an opportunity for each person in a parish or group to own a personal Bible.parish or group to own a personal Bible.Creating an environment that invites each person Creating an environment that invites each person of every age and culture, to read the bible, pray of every age and culture, to read the bible, pray with the bible, and share the bible in the family with the bible, and share the bible in the family and with others.and with others.Creatively drawing attention to the power of Creatively drawing attention to the power of God’s living and active word.God’s living and active word.Empowering each person to become an Empowering each person to become an evangelizer of the Good News of Jesus Christ.evangelizer of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

For a biblical mission to create this For a biblical mission to create this awareness for people it will:awareness for people it will:

Strengthen a personal relationship with God, showing how the Strengthen a personal relationship with God, showing how the Scriptures are an accessible communication with God and a genuine Scriptures are an accessible communication with God and a genuine way to pray. way to pray.

Empower people to witness to what they have experienced and heard Empower people to witness to what they have experienced and heard (1 John 1:1). (1 John 1:1).

Immerse participants in the mystery of Christ in the sacraments and Immerse participants in the mystery of Christ in the sacraments and liturgy. liturgy.

Encourage people to bring forth the community of love and mutual Encourage people to bring forth the community of love and mutual support. support.

Witness to an evangelization that requires action, as Pope Francis Witness to an evangelization that requires action, as Pope Francis tells us, “leaving one’s comfort zone to share the gospel with the poor tells us, “leaving one’s comfort zone to share the gospel with the poor and wounded and proclaiming Jesus through witness and word to and wounded and proclaiming Jesus through witness and word to everyone.” everyone.”

1. Know the Culture1. Know the Culture

Evangelization of Culture & Evangelization of Culture & InculturationInculturation

In order to bring the Gospel message to a In order to bring the Gospel message to a place and people, it is essential that we place and people, it is essential that we know the culture of the parish or group we know the culture of the parish or group we address. address.


Proclamation includes Proclamation includes dialogue, which begins dialogue, which begins with listening in a with listening in a reverent way in order to reverent way in order to engage members of engage members of the parish or group.the parish or group.


Our parish communities are increasingly Our parish communities are increasingly global: dialogue is not just unavoidable, global: dialogue is not just unavoidable, but a necessity. but a necessity. Dominic Robinson S.J. Dominic Robinson S.J.

A biblical evangelization programA biblical evangelization program

Invites participants to a personal Invites participants to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through an relationship with Jesus Christ through an encounter with God’s word. encounter with God’s word. Prepares an atmosphere where everyone Prepares an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and is invited to read and feels welcome and is invited to read and pray the scriptures .pray the scriptures .Some ways this may be done: Some ways this may be done: lectio lectio divinadivina, small group sharing, a bible , small group sharing, a bible enthronement ceremony. enthronement ceremony.

2. Invite Sharing & Witness2. Invite Sharing & Witness

A rabbi once said “Each word of the A rabbi once said “Each word of the bible has seventy faces.”bible has seventy faces.”

Bringing people together in small groups Bringing people together in small groups creates a sacred space for seeing the creates a sacred space for seeing the face of God. Here we can listen to the face of God. Here we can listen to the Spirit in each person’s experience. Spirit in each person’s experience. Forms of sharing may be personal Forms of sharing may be personal witness, testimony, or stories shared to witness, testimony, or stories shared to help build trust and a community of help build trust and a community of mutual love and support. mutual love and support.

AlberioneAlberione

Jesus taught people by Jesus taught people by making use of stories, making use of stories, parables and comparison that parables and comparison that he adapted to the type of he adapted to the type of audience listening to his word. audience listening to his word. The apostle can thus employ The apostle can thus employ this genre [stories] as an this genre [stories] as an effective means…to nourish effective means…to nourish them spiritually. them spiritually.

Beauty of God’s WordBeauty of God’s Word

Artist, musicians, writers, and singers in Artist, musicians, writers, and singers in the parish or group can contribute their the parish or group can contribute their talents to biblical evangelization through talents to biblical evangelization through their art expressing the beauty of God’s their art expressing the beauty of God’s word. word.

Biblical and Biblical and contemporary movies contemporary movies may be shown to may be shown to enhance the message enhance the message or within the context or within the context of Cinema Divina.of Cinema Divina.

3. Word and Eucharist3. Word and Eucharist

Worship is evangelizationWorship is evangelization

……both because of its influence on those whom we both because of its influence on those whom we dialogue with and proclaim the message to, and dialogue with and proclaim the message to, and because of what it does for the community itself. because of what it does for the community itself.

““The liturgy, the sacraments, which includes the The liturgy, the sacraments, which includes the homily, immerses the participants in the mystery of homily, immerses the participants in the mystery of Christ and thereby helps them to center their lives Christ and thereby helps them to center their lives on Christ and to become heralds and bearers of the on Christ and to become heralds and bearers of the Gospel message when they return to their ordinary Gospel message when they return to their ordinary occupations.” occupations.” Timothy Bryerly, Timothy Bryerly, The Great CommissionThe Great Commission

Eucharistic AdorationEucharistic Adoration

This practice of praying before the This practice of praying before the Eucharistic exposed in a monstrance Eucharistic exposed in a monstrance extends the grace of the liturgical sacrifice extends the grace of the liturgical sacrifice and, therefore, its evangelical effect.and, therefore, its evangelical effect.

Praying with scripture in the presence of Praying with scripture in the presence of the Eucharist centers our life on Christ. We the Eucharist centers our life on Christ. We nourish ourselves spiritually from the two nourish ourselves spiritually from the two founts of word and Eucharist. founts of word and Eucharist.

The mission must be nourished by a deeper core.The mission must be nourished by a deeper core.

This core is the Eucharist. As the This core is the Eucharist. As the presence of the human and divine love of presence of the human and divine love of Jesus Christ, the Eucharist always implies Jesus Christ, the Eucharist always implies a continual shift from Jesus to the people a continual shift from Jesus to the people who are his members, who will themselves who are his members, who will themselves become Eucharist. In summary, to be truly become Eucharist. In summary, to be truly effective…Mission must start from the effective…Mission must start from the Eucharist and lead to the Eucharist. Eucharist and lead to the Eucharist.

Benedict XVIBenedict XVI

AlberioneAlberione

The Eucharist and the Bible harmonize The Eucharist and the Bible harmonize well together.well together.

The apostolate of communication, the The apostolate of communication, the Eucharist and the Bible complete each Eucharist and the Bible complete each other. other.

The Eucharist and the Bible form the The Eucharist and the Bible form the apostle. Let these two things be apostle. Let these two things be inseparable in your hearts. inseparable in your hearts.

4. Called and Sent4. Called and Sent

The laity in particular have a special The laity in particular have a special responsibility to evangelize secular societyresponsibility to evangelize secular society

““The values of the gospel can vivify and The values of the gospel can vivify and transform human relations in law, politics, transform human relations in law, politics, business, and all the professions.” business, and all the professions.”

John Paul II in John Paul II in Sollicitudo rei socialisSollicitudo rei socialis. .

Gaudium et spes Gaudium et spes reflects a new Christian reflects a new Christian attitude before the world. The Church is a attitude before the world. The Church is a sacrament not existing for her own self but for sacrament not existing for her own self but for the world to transform it into God’s kingdom. the world to transform it into God’s kingdom.

Evangelization is not static.Evangelization is not static.

With personal and communal conversion With personal and communal conversion the message of Christ’s Gospel is the message of Christ’s Gospel is extended from the parish, family, and extended from the parish, family, and individual to all those waiting for those who individual to all those waiting for those who proclaim, dialogue, and witnesses to proclaim, dialogue, and witnesses to gospel hope. This is a universal message, gospel hope. This is a universal message, no one is excluded, “that all may be one in no one is excluded, “that all may be one in Christ” (John 17:21). Christ” (John 17:21).

Pauline CooperatorsPauline Cooperators

Groups may form during a biblical mission Groups may form during a biblical mission in the parish “springing from the need to in the parish “springing from the need to live the Church’s life more intensely, or for live the Church’s life more intensely, or for the desire and quest for a more human the desire and quest for a more human dimension…searching for a deeper dimension…searching for a deeper experience of faith, worship, fraternal experience of faith, worship, fraternal charity and prayer.” charity and prayer.” Timothy Byerley, Timothy Byerley, The Great CommissionThe Great Commission

Pauline CooperatorsPauline Cooperators

Groups are a successful way to go out beyond Groups are a successful way to go out beyond parish boundaries to the unchurched, the non-parish boundaries to the unchurched, the non-Christian and other Christian denominations. Christian and other Christian denominations.

Through their prayer, sharing the Word, support Through their prayer, sharing the Word, support and an attitude of hospitality, the laity will and an attitude of hospitality, the laity will continue to renew the parish culture for continue to renew the parish culture for evangelization. evangelization.

Ongoing formation of the laity Ongoing formation of the laity will be an will be an important component for effective outreach.important component for effective outreach.

5. Conversion5. Conversion

Transformation in ChristTransformation in Christ““The very nature of evangelization demands the The very nature of evangelization demands the prophetic voice of the Church impact social prophetic voice of the Church impact social realities and call the entire community to realities and call the entire community to conversion and repentance.” conversion and repentance.” Paul VIPaul VI

The new evangelization must be integral, both The new evangelization must be integral, both on the personal and communitarian level. It must on the personal and communitarian level. It must transform the personal and social way of living, it transform the personal and social way of living, it must convert people and become the yeast of a must convert people and become the yeast of a new humanity. It must unmask personal sin and new humanity. It must unmask personal sin and social sin which created structures of sin which social sin which created structures of sin which oppress humanity. oppress humanity. Pastoral and Missionary Commission

Transformation in ChristTransformation in Christ

“ “The core stories of The core stories of Scripture enable us to Scripture enable us to

see the shallowness of see the shallowness of the stories may have the stories may have

embraced from the embraced from the surrounding culture. It surrounding culture. It invites us to ‘switch stories’ invites us to ‘switch stories’ and therefore to re-imagine and therefore to re-imagine our lives.” our lives.” Walter Brueggemann Walter Brueggemann

Biblical evangelizationBiblical evangelization……provides people with a narrative that will help provides people with a narrative that will help them understand the story of their lives. It them understand the story of their lives. It explains who they are, what God has done, and explains who they are, what God has done, and what God is doing.what God is doing.

Scripture gives a profound and abiding sense of Scripture gives a profound and abiding sense of hope. The Bible narrative comes alive anew in hope. The Bible narrative comes alive anew in our time and our place. In a world of competing our time and our place. In a world of competing narratives, we proclaim good news that enables narratives, we proclaim good news that enables people to enter into the full dimension of people to enter into the full dimension of salvation. salvation.

SummarySummary

Pray before, during and after the event.Pray before, during and after the event.Get to know the culture, listen, dialogue.Get to know the culture, listen, dialogue.Promote the event.Promote the event.Prepare the setting.Prepare the setting.Creatively & prayerfully open up the Bible.Creatively & prayerfully open up the Bible.Invite people to a relationship with Jesus.Invite people to a relationship with Jesus.Invite witness and encourage proclamation.Invite witness and encourage proclamation.Enliven the Liturgy: Word and Eucharist.Enliven the Liturgy: Word and Eucharist.Expect personal and communal conversion.Expect personal and communal conversion.Empower the laity to evangelize.Empower the laity to evangelize.

SharingSharingWhat is needed to promote a Bible What is needed to promote a Bible Mission?Mission?

What are some questions we can ask What are some questions we can ask about the parish or group culture?about the parish or group culture?

How can a culture of biblical How can a culture of biblical evangelization take root?evangelization take root?

What are the ways we show that the Bible What are the ways we show that the Bible and the Eucharist harmonize together?and the Eucharist harmonize together?

SharingSharing

How will we prepare the environment?How will we prepare the environment?

What are ways to invite the laity to What are ways to invite the laity to participate?participate?

What about themes? Lent, Advent?What about themes? Lent, Advent?

What preparation do we need for the age What preparation do we need for the age groups in the parish?groups in the parish?

What groups do we reach out to?What groups do we reach out to?

‘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’ Instrumentum Laboris,18

“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” Deus Caritas Est,1

Examples Examples

http://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/heartshttp://www.apostleshipofprayer.org/heartsonfire.htmlonfire.html Jesuit Missions on the Road Jesuit Missions on the Road

The The Catherine of Siena InstituteCatherine of Siena Institute is a program is a program of the Western Dominican Province dedicated to of the Western Dominican Province dedicated to equipping parishes for the formation of lay equipping parishes for the formation of lay Catholics for their mission in the world.Catholics for their mission in the world.

ExamplesExamples

http://vimeo.com/66741857http://vimeo.com/66741857 Sherry Sherry Weddell author of Weddell author of Intentional DisciplesIntentional Disciples

http://www.jdleonetti.com/parish-mission.hthttp://www.jdleonetti.com/parish-mission.html?gclidml?gclid=CIWP1t22t7gCFQyi4AodqAoAng=CIWP1t22t7gCFQyi4AodqAoAng Jon Jon LeonettiLeonetti

http://www.news.va/en/news/the-announchttp://www.news.va/en/news/the-announcement-of-the-gospel-today-between-missiement-of-the-gospel-today-between-missi Cardinal Dolan Cardinal Dolan

On the Web: Search & ShareOn the Web: Search & Share

Search sharing the Bible with children or teens.Search sharing the Bible with children or teens.

Find YouTube Catholic evangelists.Find YouTube Catholic evangelists.

Search for New Evangelization &…Search for New Evangelization &…

Search for prayers before the EucharistSearch for prayers before the Eucharist

Prayers for evangelizationPrayers for evangelization

Pastoral care practicesPastoral care practices

Parish MissionsParish Missions

Etc, etc, etc.Etc, etc, etc.