.. BIBLICAL ANIMATION OF ALL PASTORAL LIFE CHAPTER 7 THE MISSION

“THEY IMMEDIATELY SET OUT AND RETURNED TO JERUSALEM” LK 24: 33 The encounter with Christ in the community Jesus presents himself to the disciples first in a veiled way, and then slowly reveals, explaining what the Scriptures said about himself and then in his gesture of breaking bread. Once they recognize him Jesus disappears, and they realize what had happened on the road, that their hearts Began burning in them once more while he was talking to them on the road and explaining the Scriptures They decide to return to Jerusalem and to the community because Jesus is alive and they must continue with its mission. (Lk 24, 29-33).

The encounter with Christ in the community The book of Acts teaches us that THE CHURCH IS FOUNDED ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD (cf. Acts 2: 37-41)Its strength inspires the formation of believing communities committed to the mission of evangelization. At this present moment in history, in which the entire Christian community is called to a new evangelization, IT IS NECESSARY TO RECOVER THE EXPERIENCE OF THE EARLY CHURCH. To find Christ, we must return to the community and strengthen it, for only within a community that prays and celebrates the Word, that can Jesus do what he did with and for the disciples of Emmaus, as he “He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures "(Lk 24: 45), and only those who understand the Scriptures can be a missionary disciples of the Lord, committed to the mission of the Church and the transformation of the world.

AN IMPORTANT TASK OF THE ABP IS TO FORM PRAYING COMMUNITIES OF THE WORD Communities are where life in the light of the Word is shared, and that's where ABP agents act. It is important to note that the word of God is given to us precisely so as to build communion, to unite us in the truth, and for us to walk together with Christ to the Father. It is a word that is personally addressed to each one, but it is also a Word that builds community, and the Church.

From Jerusalem to the ends of the Earth The coming of the Holy Spirit is the time for a new beginning for the apostles “ but you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit which will come on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to earth's remotest end "(Acts 1: 8). The content of this proclamation is the Kerygma: Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Lord! He who has conquered death and sin, He who has given new life to our existence (cf. Acts 5:29-32). This proclamation first achieves the conversion of many people to Jesus Christ, as recounted in the book of Acts of the Apostles (2, 41; 5:14).

ABP and the Preferential Option for the Poor “The Gospels show us time and again that Jesus has a clear preferential option for the poor and dispossessed, the sick and the marginalized, the oppressed and despised by society (cf.Lk 7:22-23;Mt 5:1-12;Mt 9:10-13). The ABP will also help us discover, as we read and meditate on Scripture, what are the preferred options of the Gospel of Jesus, emphasizing Jesus' special love for the poor and needy (cf. Mt 25: 31-46).

. The same is applied in the first Christian communities (Acts 2: 42-44; 4: 34-35, 11, 27-30; 1 Cor 16, 1.1-3, 2 Cor 8-9; Gal 2, 10; Rom 15, 25-28). Therefore, a special concern of the ABP is to ensure that the light of the Gospel reaches the existential peripheries of our modern world.

SCRIPTURE HAS A FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE IN THE LIFE AND PASTORAL WORK OF THE CHURCH. AS POPE FRANCIS REMINDS US: " The study of the sacred Scriptures must be a door opened to every believer. It is essential that the revealed word radically enrich our catechesis and all our efforts to pass on the faith. Evangelization demands familiarity with God’s word, which calls for dioceses, parishes and Catholic associations to provide for a serious, ongoing study of the Bible, while encouraging its prayerful individual and communal reading. We do not blindly seek God, or wait for him to speak to us first, for “God has already spoken, and there is nothing further that we need to know, which has not been revealed to us”. Let us receive the sublime treasure of the revealed word “ (EG 175)

ABP and fraternal charity. The Word that illuminates and celebrates our Service to the World

QUESTIONS 1. DOES THE ABP MISSION REALLY TAKE US TO THOSE ON THE PERIPHERY? 2. IF SO HOW?