proclaiming god’s word

Proclaiming God’s WordProclaiming God’s Word

OverviewOverview

Opening ritual Reverence Jesus’ use of Parables Listening and Responding to the Word of God Divine Revelation Biblical Inspiration Liturgy of the Word Lectionary Faith-filled People Active Listening Skills


First ThoughtFirst Thought

The living Word of God is transmitted to us by the Church through the work of the Holy Spirit

It is our calling as Christians to listen to God’s word and respond to it in faith

As you move toward Confirmation, it is important that you continue to grow in your ability to hear God’s word and respond to it

The living Word of God is transmitted to us by the Church through the work of the Holy Spirit

It is our calling as Christians to listen to God’s word and respond to it in faith

As you move toward Confirmation, it is important that you continue to grow in your ability to hear God’s word and respond to it

Lord God, Lord God, open my heart open my heart to your word to your word and give me the and give me the courage to courage to respond in faith. respond in faith. Amen Amen

Opening RitualOpening Ritual

Turn to page 102 for the Opening Ritual

Need four volunteers (readers) in the Opening Ritual

Once finished with the Opening Ritual have a seat

Turn to page 102 for the Opening Ritual

Need four volunteers (readers) in the Opening Ritual

Once finished with the Opening Ritual have a seat

Opening RitualOpening Ritual

Which reading or readings in the opening ritual caught your attention? Why?

In your book it explained that before the age of printing technologies, manuscripts and books were highly valued and treated with greater care

• Bible was often decorated with original artwork as a sign of great honor and reverence

How can we show respect and reverence for the printed Word of God?

Which reading or readings in the opening ritual caught your attention? Why?

In your book it explained that before the age of printing technologies, manuscripts and books were highly valued and treated with greater care

• Bible was often decorated with original artwork as a sign of great honor and reverence

How can we show respect and reverence for the printed Word of God?

The Word of the LordThe Word of the Lord

What is Reverence?

• The attitude and response one has toward someone or something deserving of honor or respect

What is Reverence?

• The attitude and response one has toward someone or something deserving of honor or respect

Proclaiming God’s WordProclaiming God’s Word

What does the image (pg 17) mean to you?What does the image (pg 17) mean to you?


What is a Parable?

• A type of story that Jesus told comparing the one thing to another to teach an invite his listeners to make a decision to live for the Kingdom of God

• A good example of a parable is the verse we read during the Opening Ritual

• Have volunteer read Matthew 13: 3-9, 13, 19-23 (Faith First book, pages 18 and 19)

What do the images of the sower and the seed help you understand about listening and responding to the Word of God?

Why did Jesus use parables?

What is a Parable?

• A type of story that Jesus told comparing the one thing to another to teach an invite his listeners to make a decision to live for the Kingdom of God

• A good example of a parable is the verse we read during the Opening Ritual

• Have volunteer read Matthew 13: 3-9, 13, 19-23 (Faith First book, pages 18 and 19)

What do the images of the sower and the seed help you understand about listening and responding to the Word of God?

Why did Jesus use parables?

Have you ever “tuned out” someone

or have been “tuned out” by

someone? Explain

Have you ever “tuned out” someone

or have been “tuned out” by

someone? Explain


What might distract you from listening and responding to the Word of God?What might distract you from listening and responding to the Word of God?

DistractionDistraction What Change May be Necessary?What Change May be Necessary?


Kingdom of God

• The biblical image used to describe all people and creation living in communion with God when Jesus Christ comes again in glory at the end of time

Kingdom of God

• The biblical image used to describe all people and creation living in communion with God when Jesus Christ comes again in glory at the end of time


Divine Revelation

• God’s free gift of gradually, over time, communication in words and deeds his own mystery and his divine plan of creation and Salvation

• It’s God “speaking” to us

• In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets. In these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe (Hebrews 1:1-2)

• Divine Revelation is passed on through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition

Divine Revelation

• God’s free gift of gradually, over time, communication in words and deeds his own mystery and his divine plan of creation and Salvation

• It’s God “speaking” to us

• In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets. In these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe (Hebrews 1:1-2)

• Divine Revelation is passed on through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition


Biblical Inspiration

• The process by which the Holy Spirit assisted the human writers of Sacred Scripture so that they would teach faithfully, and without error, the saving truth that God, the principal author of the Scriptures, wished to communicate

Biblical Inspiration

• The process by which the Holy Spirit assisted the human writers of Sacred Scripture so that they would teach faithfully, and without error, the saving truth that God, the principal author of the Scriptures, wished to communicate


Catechism of the Catholic Church – The Magisterium of the Church (85)

"The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.” This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.

Catechism of the Catholic Church – The Magisterium of the Church (85)

"The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ.” This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.


God invites us to listen and respond to His Word

He wants us to know Him, love Him and serve Him

We must listen attentively to the Word of God proclaimed at Mass and respond in a way that deepens our relationship with Him

God invites us to listen and respond to His Word

He wants us to know Him, love Him and serve Him

We must listen attentively to the Word of God proclaimed at Mass and respond in a way that deepens our relationship with Him

The Word of GodSmall group exercise

The Word of GodSmall group exercise

Discuss the following questions

• List three key things you have come to know about God from Sacred Scripture and from the teachings of the Church

• Select one of the three things listed and describe how it make a difference for your life

Discuss the following questions

• List three key things you have come to know about God from Sacred Scripture and from the teachings of the Church

• Select one of the three things listed and describe how it make a difference for your life

The Liturgy of the WordThe Liturgy of the Word

The part of the Church’s liturgical celebrations during which the Sacred Scriptures are proclaimed and the assembly of the faithful is invited to respond with faith

The Liturgy of the Word includes words and other ritual gestures and the assembly of the faithful’s response in faith

The Liturgy of the Word at Mass is rooted in ancient Jewish worship rituals

• In the Old and New Testaments the Jewish people gathered to listen to the proclamation of God’s word and to renew their commitment to live the Covenant

The part of the Church’s liturgical celebrations during which the Sacred Scriptures are proclaimed and the assembly of the faithful is invited to respond with faith

The Liturgy of the Word includes words and other ritual gestures and the assembly of the faithful’s response in faith

The Liturgy of the Word at Mass is rooted in ancient Jewish worship rituals

• In the Old and New Testaments the Jewish people gathered to listen to the proclamation of God’s word and to renew their commitment to live the Covenant


Lectionary

• The book that contains the Scripture readings that are assigned to be proclaimed at the celebration of the liturgy

• Confirmation: Lectionary designates 5 Old Testament texts for the First Reading, 6 Psalms for the Responsorial Psalm, 12 New Testament texts for the Second Reading, and 12 Gospel sections for the Gospel Proclamation

Lectionary

• The book that contains the Scripture readings that are assigned to be proclaimed at the celebration of the liturgy

• Confirmation: Lectionary designates 5 Old Testament texts for the First Reading, 6 Psalms for the Responsorial Psalm, 12 New Testament texts for the Second Reading, and 12 Gospel sections for the Gospel Proclamation


Discuss: What can you do to prepare yourself to participate actively, fully, and consciously in the Liturgy of the Word at your Confirmation and at every liturgical celebration?

Discuss: What can you do to prepare yourself to participate actively, fully, and consciously in the Liturgy of the Word at your Confirmation and at every liturgical celebration?

The Church Lives the FaithFaith-filled People


Anthony of the Desert

• He read the Gospel passage, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21)

• St Anthony responded by doing exactly that and lived out the rest of his life as a person of prayer in solitude in the desert

Anthony of the Desert

• He read the Gospel passage, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21)

• St Anthony responded by doing exactly that and lived out the rest of his life as a person of prayer in solitude in the desert



Sister Dorothy Stang

• Worked for decades with the rural poor of the Amazon rain forest basin in Brazil, South America

• Despite death threats from wealthy landowners and loggers she continued to be outspoken in her efforts on behalf of the poor and the environment

• While at gunpoint she read the Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” to her assassins

• More than 2,000 poor Brazilian farmers marched to the remote jungle town of Anapu for the funeral of this 73 year old nun

Sister Dorothy Stang

• Worked for decades with the rural poor of the Amazon rain forest basin in Brazil, South America

• Despite death threats from wealthy landowners and loggers she continued to be outspoken in her efforts on behalf of the poor and the environment

• While at gunpoint she read the Beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” to her assassins

• More than 2,000 poor Brazilian farmers marched to the remote jungle town of Anapu for the funeral of this 73 year old nun

Living the Faith – Makes a DifferenceLiving the Faith – Makes a Difference

Who listens to you? Who doesn’t? Why?

Interpersonal Communication

• You learn good communication skills over a lifetime

Who listens to you? Who doesn’t? Why?

Interpersonal Communication

• You learn good communication skills over a lifetime

Active ListeningActive Listening

Why is it difficult to actively listen to someone?

• Most people speak at a rate of 100 to 175 words per minute

• We can listen intelligently at a rate of 600 to 800 words per minute

• It’s easy for your mind to drift … the cure is active listening

Why is it difficult to actively listen to someone?

• Most people speak at a rate of 100 to 175 words per minute

• We can listen intelligently at a rate of 600 to 800 words per minute

• It’s easy for your mind to drift … the cure is active listening

Developing Active-listening SkillsDeveloping Active-listening Skills

Be present - Focus your attention deliberately on the person who is speaking and what is being communicated. Avoid distractions

Make Eye Contact - Look directly at the person who is speaking. Listen not only with your ears but also with your eyes and other senses

Be open-minded - Avoid making quick judgments about what the person is saying

Be present - Focus your attention deliberately on the person who is speaking and what is being communicated. Avoid distractions

Make Eye Contact - Look directly at the person who is speaking. Listen not only with your ears but also with your eyes and other senses

Be open-minded - Avoid making quick judgments about what the person is saying

Developing Active-listening SkillsDeveloping Active-listening Skills

Clarify - Acknowledge and clarify points as they are being communicate

Communicate - Show interest in what is being said through verbal and nonverbal actions

Clarify - Acknowledge and clarify points as they are being communicate

Communicate - Show interest in what is being said through verbal and nonverbal actions

Small Group ExerciseSmall Group Exercise

Identify things that help you be an active listener …

… with your friends and

… in church

How can you become a better listener …


… in church

Identify things that help you be an active listener …


… in church

How can you become a better listener …


… in church

SummarySummary



proclaiming god’s word

Documents

printed word of god

communicatethe word

explainthe word

sacred traditionthe

end of timethe word

salvationits god

itlord god

opening ritualneed