WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH

SCRIPTURAL FRAMEWORK FOR REFLECTION ON QUESTIONS 8-9

Luke 24:13-35 IMPACT (How did the Word of God impact on the new decision/direction of the two disciples?) Their eyes of faith were opened to understanding: (1) their contemporary contextual situation in light of, (2) the presence of the Risen Christ in the midst of that complex and complicated reality = Inspired a spirit of Hospitality + accommodating the stranger (Risen Christ) + listening to the stranger’s interests and insights in the scriptures + Invitation into their “home”

Luke 24:13-35 Proclaimed (How was the Word of God proclaimed...? = Jesus perspective: + Courage to enter and approach a violent contextual reality and stubborn humanity + Enlightened Understanding of the scriptures in light of history and contemporary context

Luke 24:13-35 Proclaimed = Two disciples perspective: + Courage & Obedience: returning to the contextual situation to share their Faith in the Risen Christ

Luke 24:13-35 Factors that foster listening (Hospitality) = allocating time to listen to voices of strangers and the crucified peoples experience = allocating time to reflect on the experience of strangers = welcoming strangers (crucified) into the communities ‘space’

Luke 24:13-35 Factors that hinder listening = Paralysis by the contextual reality = separation from the community and the contextual reality of the community = Creation of a dichotomy between the scriptures and the Contextual reality

PARISH REPORTS ON THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH

Impact on Synod Initiatives Scripture was used as the basis for discerning and understanding the vision, mission and pastoral focus of ministries. For example, use of Lectio Divina Inspiration of the development of STEWARDSHIP AND EVANGELIZATION programmes

Proclamation of the Word of God Reports focused on the liturgical proclamation of the Word of God + Need for training + Need for adequate preparations by priest, lector and congregation + Need for proper proclamation at the liturgies

Factors – fostering listening Reports focused on the Liturgical proclamation of the Word = Environmental factors Eg. Good Acoustics = Human factors Eg. Trained Lectors = Divine role Eg. Open to the work of the Spirit

Factors – hinders listening Reports focused on the Liturgical proclamation of the Word = Environmental factors Eg. Noise = Human factors Eg. Movements during proclamation

GENERAL COMMENTS Awareness of the nature, role and importance of the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church Awareness of the nature, role and importance of the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church Awareness of the sacredness of the Word of God especially when proclaimed liturgically Awareness of the sacredness of the Word of God especially when proclaimed liturgically A general bias on the Word of God liturgically proclaimed A general bias on the Word of God liturgically proclaimed Limited reference to the Word of God as proclaimed by community through its Synod initiatives or Goals Limited reference to the Word of God as proclaimed by community through its Synod initiatives or Goals

General Comments Insufficient reflection on how the Word of God has shaped or influenced the specific direction of individual communities Insufficient reflection on how the Word of God has shaped or influenced the specific direction of individual communities = For example a community’s response to violence, or abortion Insufficient reflection on a reading of the contemporary contextual reality in relation to the Word of God Insufficient reflection on a reading of the contemporary contextual reality in relation to the Word of God = Violence = Culture of death = Social Injustice = Human Rights Issues = Land distribution (question squatting & affordability)

General Comments = Ethics (business, political, media) = Interaction and impact between global and local cultures = Development of a contemporary youth culture = Development of ‘Dancehall’ culture and its impact on the society and church and its impact on the society and church = Environmental issues