Our Journey of Faith

Transcription

1 Our Journey of Faith A Gospel Reflection This booklet is Gospel invitation to reflect on where you are on your journey of faith, and ideas for how to take your next step through the community of St. Dominic s parish. Seeker, Disciple, Apostle We re All On a Journey. Let s Walk Together.

2 A Journey With Jesus The Church wishes to serve this single end: that each person may be able to find Christ, in order that Christ may walk with each person the path of life. POPE JOHN PAUL II, REDEMPTOR HOMINIS, 1979 In his first encyclical, Pope John Paul II summed up our faith in terms of an encounter and a journey. We encounter Jesus, and Jesus then journeys with us through our lives. Sounds simple, doesn t it? Yet we often feel stuck, not knowing how or where to take the next step on our journey of faith. To understand these words, encounter and journey, more fully we look to the Gospels. To the many stories of people who met Jesus during his earthly life. What do these encounters teach us about ourselves? What do these encounters teach us about Jesus? How can we gain new insights for the journey of a lifetime? This booklet will provide you with a chance to read some of the Gospel stories in the hope that you ll find echoes of your story. All of the Gospel texts that you ll need are provided at the end of the booklet. We also encourage you to break open the Gospels to explore the many other stories of encounter and journey

3 Opening Prayer "I do believe, help my unbelief!" -- Mark 9:24 This statement comes from the lips of a father petitioning Jesus to heal his son. Somehow these simple words seem to capture so much of our faith journey, a constant tension between belief and unbelief. We can learn a great deal from this father. Sometimes we just want to hide our questions and struggles, but he is willing to express his beliefs while still asking Jesus for help. This is the journey of faith. What do I believe? What are my questions and struggles? Take a few minutes in prayer speaking your beliefs and asking Jesus for help: Jesus, I believe, help me with

4 Gospel Encounters The Gospel authors share with us numerous stories of people who encounter Jesus Christ and whose lives are changed through that encounter. We can look to these stories for examples of some of the stages we go through on our journey of faith. We shouldn t think about these stages as ways of categorizing people. Jesus met each person individually in the context of their life, yet at each meeting, Jesus invited people to go deeper: Come, follow me! Stages are therefore ways for us to understand where we are and to gain insight into what we might do to take the next step. The stages are also ways for us as a community to wrestle with how we can truly walk with each other. Crowd: Who is this Son of Man? (John 12:34) During Jesus life there always seemed to be crowds following him. Clearly people were curious about Jesus, and they came to see what all the excitement was about. We can t tell you much about the crowd because it is a group not an individual, names and stories remain safely hidden. It is often hard to grow in a crowd because growth requires the risk of a relationship. Seekers: Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another? (Matthew 11:3) The people in the Bible who change and grow are the ones who step out of the crowd. They approach Jesus, or Jesus approaches them, based on their individual questions or needs. For lack of a biblical term we will call these people seekers. Seekers take the risk of sharing their stories, hopes, and struggles with Jesus, and they allow Jesus to respond. The Gospels make it clear that Jesus has great love and concern for seekers. Yes, Jesus had a group of followers (disciples), but he is most frequently depicted leading those followers into encounters with seekers. Seeking involves identifying and confronting our deepest hunger (e.g., healing, meaning, community, salvation, forgiveness, hope) and bringing it to Jesus. Disciples: Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life? (John 6:68) We should never stop seeking, but sooner or later we are confronted with Jesus call to follow him. We become his disciples when we - 4 -

5 accept this invitation. Choosing to follow Jesus does not mean having all our questions answers. Disciples commit themselves to Jesus Christ not because they have it all figured out, but because they ve taken enough time to realize that Jesus is the one to follow. Each time we re confused, each time we get it wrong, each time we fall, we stay with Jesus because we have decided that it is only through Jesus that we will know the way, the truth, and the life. Discipleship in the Gospels marks a very clear transition in a person s life. In our own lives, becoming a Disciple can be much more gradual and less conscious, but it is worth challenging ourselves to be intentional about Discipleship. One sign that we ve said yes is when we re willing to make decisions in light of this new reality. Becoming a disciple is not a me and Jesus experience. It means becoming part of a community of followers, a pilgrim people, called the Church. Discipleship means not only facing our own hopes and struggle with Jesus, but also walking with others, each with their own hopes and struggles. St. Paul calls the Church the Body of Christ. This is a powerful image for the disciple: Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body, it does not for this reason belong any less to the body The eye cannot say to the hand, I do not need you If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. (1 Corinthians 12:14-26) Apostles: Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these. (John 14:12) The Greek word translated to apostle means, one who is sent. Traditionally we use the word apostle to refer to the Twelve who made up Jesus inner circle among his disciples. Today we see the Bishops as successors to these Apostles, holding a special role within the Body of Christ. What might surprise most Catholics is that the term apostle is not exclusively used for the Bishops. All Baptized Christians are seen as having a share in Jesus mission, all Baptized Christians are apostles: as Jesus healed, we are called to heal; as Jesus forgave, we are called to forgive; etc. While Jesus meets seekers and forms Disciples, he IS the model of the true apostle. Becoming a lay apostle means taking personal responsibility for Christ s mission to the world. In this we are not interchangeable; we each have a unique and special call from Christ that recognizes our deepest identity. Take a look at Appendix II to see how the Church speaks about the lay apostolate

6 Praying the Gospel Stories Appendix I contains some of the many Gospel stories that depict Jesus inviting seekers, forming disciples, and sending apostles. Takes time to pray some of the different stories and see how the resonate with your own story. You might find Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) a useful tool for encountering the scriptures: Lectio (Reading) Lectio is prayerful reading of scripture. Do it slowly. Make full use of your imagination and be aware of how the reading strikes you. Reread sections. You might find it helpful to read out loud. Meditatio (Meditation) In meditation, ruminate on what was read. Ponder and reflect on the words and events, in order to draw some personal meaning or moral. It is basically an activity of the intellect and reason, aided by grace. Savor some insight or truth. Allow the words of Scripture to repeat and resonate in you. Alternative: Imagine the scene in all its aspects. You may even identify yourself with some person in the text. Oratio (Prayer of the Heart) Putting aside your defenses and masks, enter into simple and direct address to God, heart to heart. Allow yourself to be spontaneous in expression, in petition, in giving thanks or praise. Prayer of the heart, oratio, is longing for God. Keep your hearts open and allow God s action to supersede your own. Alternate between meditation and prayer. Contemplatio (Contemplation) In the same way that one may be lost in the sight of a beautiful sunset or just take delight in the presence of a loved one, one rests in contemplation as the prayer of simple attention to God s presence. It is a resting in the Lord. It is taking delight in God s presence. The goal is union in love. Tip: Expect distractions; your mind may wonder. Attend to it and then gently return to the presence. Remain quiet and open for as long as you can, and then return either to meditation or to prayer

7 Where Am I On My Journey? Maybe I m In The Crowd Am I curious about Jesus? Do I hang back because I m afraid of what Jesus might asked of me? Maybe I m A Seeker Am I willing to personally encounter Jesus, even with all my questions and fears? Am I in touch with my deepest desires and hopes? Maybe I m A Disciple Have I said yes to following Jesus, even if I still have questions and fears? Does my relationship with Jesus influence the choices I make in my life? Am I a member of a community of followers of Jesus? Maybe I m A Apostle Do I understand that I have a role in Christ s mission to the world? Have I explored my unique role in Christ s mission? Is my apostolic work shared with and sustained through my Church? Tips for the Journey at St. Dominic s Ideas for Stepping out of the Crowd Take a risk Review the many offerings as St. Dominic s and challenge yourself to try something new Ideas for Seeking Seek to know Jesus Christ in the Scripture (Bible Study, lectures, Mass, small groups) Ask your questions and explore faith (RCIA, We Believe/Celebrate/Live/Serve, lectures, set up a meeting with a priest) - 7 -

8 Connect with the community (Landings, Young Adults, ministries, small groups) Learn what is special about you (Strengths Finder) Ideas for Disciples Seek a deeper knowledge of Jesus through: reading Scripture, the Sacraments, Christian community, and service to others. Go and meet seekers (RCIA, Landings, Young Adults). Meet them with love, compassion, and invitation just like Jesus. Share your joy. Continue questioning and learning (RCIA, We Believe/Celebrate/Live/Serve) Take responsibility for the community (join or start a ministry, volunteer) Pray your life (Attend mornings of reflection, twilight reconciliation retreats, discernment retreats) Make your Sunday worship an expression of your relationship with Jesus (joy, community, thankfulness, love, hope, hunger, etc.) Attend a Called and Gifted workshop to learn what Jesus is calling you too Ideas for Apostles Take the Called and Gifted Workshop (exploring the lay call and practical tools for discovering how God has gifted us uniquely) Attend We Server to see your gifts in relation to Christ s mission to the world Gather with other lay apostles who have similar secular competencies. Talk about how the Gospel light could transform the sphere within which you work. Continue learning about the faith with specific focus on the issues that you encounter in the world Bring your successes and struggles to the St. Dominic s community Join one of the many ministries of service and justice within the parish (i.e., participate in the parish s apostolic work) - 8 -

9 Appendix I: Some Gospel Stories for Reflection Multiple Stages Luke 5:1 While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon [Simon is a Seeker, but Jesus takes the initiative], "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." 5 Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." 6 When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." [Simon confuses discipleship with perfection, and attempts to distance himself from Jesus] 9 For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, 10 and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." [Jesus has an apostolic mission for Simon] 11 When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. [They have become Disciples] - 9 -

10 John 4:1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself was not baptizing, just his disciples), 3 he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 4 He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." [Jesus initiates the conversation] 8 His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." 11 (The woman) said to him, "Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?" 13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; 14 but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." [The woman begins to articulate what she is Seeking] 16 Jesus said to her, "Go call your husband and come back." 17 The woman answered and said to him, "I do not have a husband." Jesus answered her, "You are right in saying, 'I do not have a husband.' 18 For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true." 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem." 21 Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything." 26 Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking with you." 27 At that moment his disciples

11 returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, "What are you looking for?" or "Why are you talking with her?" 28 The woman left her water jar [She becomes a Disciple, like Peter leaving his nets] and went into the town and said to the people, 29 "Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Messiah?" [She takes on the role of Apostle] 30 They went out of the town and came to him. 31 Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." 33 So the disciples said to one another, "Could someone have brought him something to eat?" 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Do you not say, 'In four months the harvest will be here'? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. 36 The reaper is already receiving his payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. 37 For here the saying is verified that 'One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work." 39 Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me everything I have done." 40 When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41 Many more began to believe in him because of his word, 42 and they said to the woman, "We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world." Inviting Seekers Mark 10:17 As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Luke 19:2 Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, 3 was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. 5 When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." Mark 10:46 Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. 47 On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."

12 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me." 49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, he is calling you." 50 He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." John 1:37 The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39 He said to them,"come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Forming Disciples Mark 10:52 Jesus told [Bartimaeus], "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. Luke 10:39 [Martha] had a sister named Mary (who) sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Mark 8:27 [Jesus] asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" 28 They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets." 29 And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Messiah." 34 He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. John 6:66 As a result of this [teaching about the Eucharist], many (of) [Jesus] disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. 67 Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God." Luke 11:1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." Mark 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 36 He replied, "What do you wish (me) to do for you?" 37 They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at

13 your right and the other at your left." 38 Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" 39 They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 42 Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. 43 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; 44 whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." Sending Apostles John 13:12 So when he had washed their feet (and) put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you? 13 You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am. 14 If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. 15 I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. Luke 10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy (-two) others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 2 He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. 3 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. 5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' 6 If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8 Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, 9 cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.' 16 Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." 17 The seventy (-two) returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." 18 Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky

14 19 Behold, I have given you the power 'to tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." John 14:12 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. John 15:16 It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This I command you: love one another. Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

15 Appendix II: Some Vatican II Quotes Lay Apostles From the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity 2. The Church was founded for the purpose of spreading the kingdom of Christ throughout the earth for the glory of God the Father, to enable all men to share in His saving redemption, and that through them the whole world might enter into a relationship with Christ. All activity of the Mystical Body directed to the attainment of this goal is called the apostolate, which the Church carries on in various ways through all her members. 3. The laity derive the right and duty to the apostolate from their union with Christ the head; incorporated into Christ's Mystical Body through Baptism and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit through Confirmation, they are assigned to the apostolate by the Lord Himself For the exercise of this apostolate, the Holy Spirit Who sanctifies the people of God through ministry and the sacraments gives the faithful special gifts also (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7), "allotting them to everyone according as He wills" (1 Cor. 12:11) in order that individuals, administering grace to others just as they have received it, may also be "good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1Peter 4:10), to build up the whole body in charity (cf. Eph. 4:16). From the acceptance of these charisms, including those which are more elementary, there arise for each believer the right and duty to use them in the Church and in the world. 7. The laity must take up the renewal of the temporal order as their own special obligation. Led by the light of the Gospel and the mind of the Church and motivated by Christian charity, they must act directly and in a definite way in the temporal sphere. As citizens they must cooperate with other citizens with their own particular skill and on their own responsibility. Everywhere and in all things they must seek the justice of God's kingdom. The temporal order must be renewed in such a way that, without detriment to its own proper laws, it may be brought into conformity with the higher principles of the Christian life and adapted to the shifting circumstances of time, place, and peoples. 10. As sharers in the role of Christ as priest, prophet, and king, the laity have their work cut out for them in the life and activity of the Church. Their activity is so necessary within the Church communities that without it the apostolate of the pastors is often unable to achieve

16 its full effectiveness. In the manner of the men and women who helped Paul in spreading the Gospel (cf. Acts 18:18, 26; Rom. 16:3) the laity with the right apostolic attitude supply what is lacking to their brethren and refresh the spirit of pastors and of the rest of the faithful (cf. 1 Cor. 16:17-18). Strengthened by active participation in the liturgical life of their community, they are eager to do their share of the apostolic works of that community. They bring to the Church people who perhaps are far removed from it, earnestly cooperate in presenting the word of God especially by means of catechetical instruction, and offer their special skills to make the care of souls and the administration of the temporalities of the Church more efficient and effective. The parish offers an obvious example of the apostolate on the community level inasmuch as it brings together the many human differences within its boundaries and merges them into the universality of the Church. The laity should accustom themselves to working in the parish in union with their priests, bringing to the Church community their own and the world's problems as well as questions concerning human salvation, all of which they should examine and resolve by deliberating in common. As far as possible the laity ought to provide helpful collaboration for every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by their local parish. 18. The faithful are called to engage in the apostolate as individuals in the varying circumstances of their life. They should remember, nevertheless, that man is naturally social and that it has pleased God to unite those who believe in Christ into the people of God (cf. 1Peter 2:5-10) and into one body (cf. 1 Cor. 12:12) For this reason the faithful should participate in the apostolate by way of united effort. They should be apostles both in their family communities and in their parishes and dioceses, which themselves express the community nature of the apostolate, as well as in the informal groups which they decide to form among themselves. The group apostolate is very important also because the apostolate must often be performed by way of common activity both the Church communities and the various spheres. For the associations established for carrying on the apostolate in common sustain their members, form them for the apostolate, and rightly organize and regulate their apostolic work so that much better results can be expected than if each member were to act on his own