THE KERYGMAEXPERIENCE

Encounter and ConversionFleshing Out the Message of Salvation

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THE MESSAGE OF SALVATIONKerygma comes from the Greek: keryssein meaning “to proclaim”

and keryx meaning “herald”

“The journey of evangelization has as its center the proclamation of Jesus Christ and an invitation to deeper missionary discipleship.” (USCCB, Living as Missionary Disciples, 1)

“The proclamation (kerygma) of the life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and of the Kingdom of God is at the core of evangelization.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium #160-62)

“On the lips of the catechist the first proclamation must ring out over and over: ‘Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.’” (Evangelii Gaudium, #164)

5-Finger Process of Proclaiming the Gospel(Michael O. Jackels, Archbishop of Dubuque)

1. Pinky: We are weak and in need of a Savior.

2. Ring Finger: Out of love for us, God sent the Savior, Jesus.

3. Middle Finger: Jesus was raised on the cross (crucified) and raised from the dead (resurrected).

4. Pointer Finger: In faith, we surrender our lives to Jesus.

5. Thumb: As disciples of Jesus, we join the mission of transforming the world.

“So I ask you: Are you looking for empty thrills in life, or do you want to feel a power that can give you a lasting sense of life and ful-fillment? Empty thrills or the power of grace? To find fulfillment, to gain new

strength, there is a way. It is not a thing or an object, but a person, andhe is alive. His name is Jesus Christ.”

- Pope Francis (World Youth Day, Krakow, Poland)

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“Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Mt 9:13)

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” (Lk 19:10)

1. How have you experienced weakness/sin/failure in your own life?

2. What ache or hurt do you carry with you?

CCC #457: “The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God, who ‘loved us and sent his Son to be expiation for our sins’: ‘the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world,’ and ‘he was revealed to take away sins.’”

“Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in the darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a Savior; prisoners, help; slaves, a liberator. Are these things minor or insignificant? Did they not move God to descend to human nature and visit it, since humanity was in so miserable and unhappy a state?”

ENCOUNTER AND CONVERSION1. We are weak and in need of a Savior.

Praying the Confiteor

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Amen.

Lord, I Need You, Matt Maher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuvfMDhTyMAmattmaherVEVO. “Matt Maher - Lord, I Need You.” YouTube, YouTube, 1 May 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuvfMDhTyMA.

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to

condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (Jn 3:16, 17)

1. How do you understand God’s love for you?

2. How have you experienced peace and happiness through a relationship with Jesus Christ?

CCC #458: “The Word became flesh so that thus we might know God’s love: ‘In this the love of God was made mani-fest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.’” (Jn 4:9)

Praying the Hail Mary

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit

of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death.

Amen.

ENCOUNTER AND CONVERSION2. Out of love for us, God sent the Savior, Jesus.

New Every Morning, Audrey Assad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grz3Hxw9GWUaudreyassad. “New Every Morning - Audrey Assad.” YouTube, YouTube, 23 Feb. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grz3Hxw9GWU.

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“For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.” (1 Pet 3:18)

“For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.” (1 Cor 15:3-4)

1. When have you experienced new life?

2. What difference has Jesus made in your life?

CCC #571: “The Paschal mystery of Christ’s cross and Resurrection stands at the center of the Good News that the apostles, and the Church following them, are to proclaim to the world. God’s saving plan was accomplished ‘once for all’ by the redemptive death of his Son Jesus Christ.”

ENCOUNTER AND CONVERSION3. Jesus was raised on the cross (crucified)

and raised from the dead (resurrected).

Praying the Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLJ0IjLAmOAjinu03. “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? – HeartCry Worship”, YouTube, 17 May 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLJ0IjLAmOA

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“Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: ‘This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” (Mk 1:14,15)

1. What fears or wants keep you from surrendering your life fully to Jesus? What obstacles are in the way?

2. What new commitment will you make to more fully surrender your life to Jesus? Be specific.

CCC #26: “Faith is man’s response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life.”

CCC #160: “Indeed, Christ invited people to faith and conversion, but never coerced them.”

CCC #161: “Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that salvation.”

ENCOUNTER AND CONVERSION4. In faith, we surrender our lives to Jesus.

Praying the Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess, you have given me: I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; with that I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more. Amen.

Surrender – Lincoln Brewster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q70WrwGGUNs&list=RDq70WrwGGUNs&t=41 LSwe1. “Surrender (Lyrics) by Lincoln Brewster.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 Oct. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=q70WrwGGUNs&list=RDq70WrwGGUNs&t=41.

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“If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:1-4)

1. How have I been strenthened to share the Good News with others?

2. How are you open to the Holy Spirit at this moment?

3. How is God calling you to share your story and share in the mission of the Church?

CCC #163: “Faith makes us taste in advance the light of the beatific vision, the goal of our journey here below. Then we shall see God ‘face to face,’ ‘as he is.’ So faith is already the beginning of eternal life: When we contemplate the blessings of faith even now, as if gazing at a reflection in a mirror, it is as if we already possessed the wonderful things which our faith assures us we shall one day enjoy.”

ENCOUNTER AND CONVERSION5. As disciples of Jesus, we join the mission of transforming the world.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Follow You – Leeland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs9m6oL1QHk 1996cheetos. “Leeland - Follow You (Lyrics).” YouTube, YouTube, 3 May 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs9m6oL1QHk.

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“The subject of proclamation is Christ who was crucified, died, and is risen: through him is accomplished our full and authentic liberation from evil, sin and death; through him God bestows ‘new life’ that is divine and eternal. This is the ‘Good News’ which changes man and his history, and which all peoples have a right to hear.’” St. John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio #44

The Kerygma (salvation history or the core message of the Gospel) needs to be proclaimed over and over to take root in our hearts. Each time we hear this proclamation something new may strike us. This may be a message you have heard many times or the first time.

1. During the experience, you may have felt a great sense of joy, peace, sadness or points of resistance. Acknowledge how you felt. Don’t be afraid of your emotions, thoughts, or feelings.

2. As you reflect on The Kerygma Experience, what thoughts come to mind? What did you feel?

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3. Which movement of The Kerygma Experience was the hardest for you? Why?

4. Which movement of The Kerygma Experience was the easiest for you? Why?

5. What insight came to you through this experience?

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Prayer of Blessing

Blessed are you, Lord God: Blessed are you forever. Holy is your name: Blessed are you forever. Great is your mer-cy for your people: Blessed are you forever. Amen! Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, We praise you and give you glory: We bless you for calling us to be your holy people. Remain in our hearts, and guide us in our love and service. Help us to let our light shine before others and lead them to the way of faith. Holy Trinity of love, We praise you now and for ever. Amen!

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Bless the Lord, O My Soul, Matt Redman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSxocnIaN0Ahermonpraise. “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord o My Soul ) - Matt Redman (with Lyrics).” YouTube, YouTube, 25 Jan. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSxocnIaN0A.

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Print Resources:• New American Bible.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church. English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the United States of America copyright © 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc. —Libreria Editrice Vaticana. English translation of the Cate-chism of the Catholic Church: Modifications from the Editio Typica copyright © 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

• Living as Missionary Disciples. Living as Missionary Disciples: A Resource for Evangelization; Leadership Resource. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2017.

• Evangelii Gaudium. Pope Francis. The Joy of the Gospel = Evangelii Gaudium: Apostolic Exhortation. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2013.

• Redemptoris Missio. Pope John Paul II. Encyclical Letter Redemptoris Missio of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II on the Permanent Validity of the Church's Missionary Mandate. Pauline Books & Media, 1999.

Images:• Angelico, Fra Beato. “Annunciation.”

Wikimedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fra_Angelico_043.jpg

• De Juanes, Juan. “Ùltima Cena.” Wikimedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%C3%9Altima_Cena_-_Juan_de_Juanes.jpg

• Doré, Gustave. “Adam and Eve are Driven out of Eden.” Wikimedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:003.Adam_and_Eve_Are_Driven_out_of_Eden.jpg

• El Greco. “Pentecostés.” Wikimedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pentecost%C3%A9s_(El_Greco,_1597).jpg

• Guercino. “Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well.” Wikimedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guercino_-_Jesus_and_the_Samaritan_Wom-an_at_the_Well_-_WGA10946.jpg

• Olrik, Henrik. “Sermon on the Mount.” Wikimedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sankt_Matthaeus_Kirke_Copenhagen_altarpiece_detail1.jpg

• Velázquez, Diego. “Christ Crucified.” Wikimedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4214227

The Kerygma ExperienceBased on the Diocese of Green Bay