Season of hope – and transformation
Monday, December 14, 2009
Cheryl Whapham
Last week I read a Zenit article reporting some of the comments that were made on November 17-18, 2009 during the 14th meeting of the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops.
Three of the statements published by the bishops in their communiqué really struck me and I wanted to write about them and hear some of your thoughts on what the bishops said.
- The “rupture between life and the Gospel” is the “tragedy of our time.”
Wow, huh? It bears repeating: the “rupture between life and the Gospel”. I think the quote is so profound because it unfortunately resonates with my experience. Does everyday life in my community, in our community of south Florida, fully represent the values found in the Gospels? Or do we find a rupture in our society between the life Jesus wants for us and the one we find ourselves living?
- “The prelates emphasized the formation of the laity is of primary importance.”
Yes, yes, yes! How do we counteract this “tragedy of our time”? With formation! We can’t bring the Gospel into our homes or communities if we don’t know what the Gospel teaches. This forces us to ask ourselves the question, “What have I done recently that aided my personal faith formation, that deepened my personal relationship with Christ?”
- “The process of inculturation depends in great measure on a balanced education in the faith, carried out above all in families, schools and Catholic universities and today, in a truly urgent way, through the media, whose correct and competent use is a vehicle of extraordinary pastoral efficacy.”
Inculturation, put as simply as possible, is the process by which the Gospel becomes rooted in a particular culture and that culture becomes transformed by the Gospel. The family is the basic unit of our society. So let’s just start there: How has the Gospel taken root in the families in south Florida and how has Jesus’ message of love, peace and hope transformed our own families?
During the season of Advent, we are called to prayerful reflection so that we might ready ourselves for the miracle of the Incarnation. On the Third Sunday of Advent we are called to rejoice and be filled with hope as the birth of the Messiah draws near.
With the birth of Jesus, our Savior, God entered into human history and transformed the world with His love and message of peace. We are compelled during the season of Advent to open our hearts to the transformation the Savior brings to each of us. We must let our faith in the baby Jesus transform us so that we can in turn transform our families and communities to reflect the Gospel values we are called to live.
Our lives as disciples are the key to the conversion of our society. Let us recommit ourselves to formation and transformation! No longer will we be known as the “tragedy of our time”, but as a people who united their lives to love, peace, and hope in Christ!
Cheryl J. Orwig Whapham
Director, Lay Ministry and Adult Faith Formation
Comments from readers
Elizabeth - I miss your activism! You are inspirational with your 'just do it' attitude. Thank you for that burst of energy!
Mari and Lindsay - I am so happy that you have found joy in the Lord in the School of Ministry! God is so good! Our communities are closer to resembling the Kingdom because of your being and acting in the world. Thank you!!
Tough to do, but a must, if we are to walk the talk.
Education is key, yes. But, I would exhort those who have been educated and see the chasm between our culture and the gospel to raise their voices. I hope that we are emailing our congresspeople and senators and sharing our views.