ROOTED IN THE BIBLE
Two examples taken among many hundred are presented here simply as suggestions for those undertaking a biblical session with a Justice and Peace outlook.
1. A retreat (M. Côté) "Good News in a time of crisis: the quest for justice in Matthew"
Morning:
- Matthew, an author facing crisis
- Prayer: Mt 28:16-20
- a) How does Matthew present Jesus? (genealogy, titles given to Jesus)
- b) Matthew's plan (looking at places, times, the difference between narration and discourses, those who are excluded, persecuted, status-less,)
- Jesus' vision
- a) Matthew's community
- b) the Sermon on the Mount (new law, be perfect, the concern for one's neighbor)
- Time for personal reflection
- Sharing in groups or plenary
Afternoon
Prayer: Mt 5:17-20
Justice and krisis (Mt 6:33 and 23:23)
Who is just? (Mt 27:19-24)
An overview of justice in the bible (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy; then Luke and James)
Refusing hupo-krisis (Mt 23)
Holiness and God's will
Discipleship (Mt 10)
Attitudes in respect to adversity (Mt 11-12), simplicity (6:25-34), perfection (5:48)
Personal reflection
Sharing in groups or plenary
2. A series of work in groups (A. Durand) The brother proposes that 10 biblical themes be worked on by various teams in five phases:
- THE FIVE PHASES:
- *starting from today's reality
- *reading the Word of God
- *analyzing the text and seeking its meaning
- *praying
- *remembering
- THE TEN THEMES:
- a) the kingdom of God is at hand (Lk 4:16-21 and 7:18-23)
- b) the wisdom of the poor (Ben Sirach 13:1-23)
- c) meeting the poor, meeting Christ (Mt 25:31-46)
- d) a God who is known through the liberation of slaves (Ex 2:23 - 3:20)
- e) Christ took on the condition of a servant (Phil 1:2-11)
- f) the word of a prophet confronts injustices and inequalities (Am 5:1 - 6:7)
- g) God listens to the cry of an oppressed woman (Gen 6:1-5 and 21:8-21)
- h) laws in favor of the poor (the three legislative Codes of the Pentateuch)
- i) seek first the kingdom (Lk 12:16-32)
- j) no more poor among you or sharing of all your goods (Acts 4:32-5:11)
Charts to help you in this work have been compiled by A. Durand, o.p., in the book "Les pauvretés à la lumière de la Bible" published by "Les éditions de l'Atelier", France, 1995.
Just a reminder
The seven-phase method to evaluate a gospel sharing on a given text (relating to Justice and Peace, for example)
1- was there a mind-set or an atmosphere conducive to prayer or sharing?
2- was the scripture passage audible and read in a prayerful manner?
3- were the "moments for silence" appropriate?
4- was there true sharing or were some "preaching" to the others?
5- was sufficient room given to the Spirit to guide our words?
6- was each one able to express himself or herself?
7- did the facilitator play her/his role well?(this method was suggested by the brothers of Nagpur)
| Back | Index | Next |