Adult Faith Development explores what it
means to be people of the Word
Participants in our “Putting Out Into the Deep!”
series were able to catch a glimpse of our Archbishop, Marcel Gervais, wearing
his “scripture scholar hat” on Saturday, December 10th,
2005, as he led a day-long session in adult faith development on what it means
to be people of the Word. Building on St. Augustine’s insight that the
purpose of scripture is to form Christians not scientists, Archbishop Gervais
highlighted the many forms of literature that make up the Old Testament. He
pointed to the powerful stories that tell us about the how God has chosen to
reveal himself to the people in the first five books of the Old Testament.
These are not stories that reveal scientific data or that are concerned with
historical facts. Rather, their purpose is to use beautiful forms of literature
to tell powerful stories about the relationship between God and humanity. These
stories have the profound ability to reveal truths much more fundamental than
historical or scientific facts!
|
The Archbishop described the time of the second Vatican
Council as one of exciting new openings in the study of scripture. With the
publishing of the document Dei Verbum the Church
articulated a catholic interpretation of scripture and opened the way for vital
new scholarship. We are reaping the rich rewards of this work, now.
Participants engaged in exercises provided by the
Archbishop to help them get a sense of how the texts are composed. Spending
time on the two creation accounts of Genesis, the Archbishop emphasized the
revelation of a gracious and loving creator who invites humanity into an
intimate and creative relationship with God and one another, and who models the
movement from creative work into a time of leisure. Heard throughout the first
creation account is “And God saw that it was good”; and, especially
in relation to the creation of male and female, “God saw that it was
very good.” Even with the failure of humanity in the second
creation account, God continues to be gracious and merciful inviting
reconciliation and offering hope. This is the foundation for the ongoing
inspiring and hope-filled story of salvation history. |
Archbishop Marcel Gervais leads
participants through the 2 creation accounts in Genesis |
Participants pose questions to the
Archbishop and engage in dialogue |
Participants posed questions to the Archbishop and engaged
in rich dialogue that explored important questions about scripture and related
pastoral issues about what it means to be people of faith. The session was very
well received. People expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to engage
with their Archbishop and to explore this important topic with his guidance.
The next session of adult faith development will take
place on Saturday, January 21st, 2006. All are welcome! Carol
Kuzmochka, 738-5025 (x251) or ckuzmochka@ecclesia- ottawa.org for information
or Annmarie Brown, 738-5025 (x217), abrown@ecclesia-ottawa.org to register.
|
Back |
Top |