Old and New Testament Self

   -Study

Apostolic Life
Composed by the Marist Sisters of the Oceania Province


At the first session of the Provincial Chapter it was proposed that a self-study programme at community level be initiated in the Province. The object of the study was to examine our community life in three aspects and so deepen our awareness and understanding of our life together. These aspects were summarised under the headings of
    Religious and Marist life
    Apostolic life
    The Cry of the Poor and Social Justice.
The purpose of the study was to enable a policy to be initiated regarding our community witness and apostolates throughout the Province.

A committee was appointed in order to formulate a study programme and at its one and only meeting held immediately after the Chapter it was decided to begin the study with Apostolic life. An elaborate framework and timetable was masterminded at this meeting, intended to promote as much exchange as possible between all the communities of the Province but alas! for 'the best laid plans of mice and men…’!

However much work was done in all parts of the Province, each region working on the scheme until well into the middle of the year. The small committee set up In Sydney to collate ideas and redistribute them sent out a study programme which was followed closely in Australia and New Zealand. Fiji was already well launched into a spiritual study of Call and Mission in the Old and New Testaments.

This booklet contains a synopsis of the findings from each region followed by contributions received from the communities.

Synthesis
Our initial step in dealing with Apostolic Life was to look at the theology of our call based on scripture - Old and New Testament. The reason for beginning here was to get a clear vision of our call and mission. Then with this clear vision we studied Christ's approach to people so that in our reaching out to others in our various apostolates we shall do so with an attitude based on Christ's approach.

We included the Australian self-study in the last Unit of ours. The outcome of our self-study is contained in the following summary:

MY OWN CALL AND MISSION
The call of each of the prophets and Mary bring out the deep awareness of God, each of these had. God demanded much and their responses were immediate and total.

For our part, we must ask God for the grace to be responsive and receptive like Mary who gave up everything for God. This total surrender goes right to the root of the whole self, hence the 'radicality' of the call of God.

Each of us has been called from among God's People to work among them and for them. Through prayer we are able to reach out to them.

In the Gospels we have Christ's approach to the people, on which we must model our lives. Re understood the poor, the weak, and He forgave the sinners. The suffering people are awaiting help and it is our work to bring Christ to them, to let them feel His saving love.

APOSTOLIC LIFE
'We go forth in faith, accepting a task not of our own choosing'.

The witness of our life in community is vital in our mission. As a community we are participating in the creative acts of God - to bring Christ to others. This is done more effectively in a group, in the form of encouragement, finance etc., behind you.

To be effective in our apostolate wo mood to have a good prayer life.Prayer is our preparation and our stand-by for our mission – Apostolate – and can never be substituted.

The type of work we do is one which helps us in bringing people to God - and helping us come close to Him. Our traditional apostolates must not be abandoned but there must be room made for individual charisms.

We must be convinced that our apostolate is worthwhile. Difficulties abound which must be accepted and dealt with. Frequently these so-called stumbling blocks are stepping stones for us and others on the way to God.

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS:
Apart from our teaching apostolate, effort is made now to reach out to the people who need guidance’s and help in other areas, e.g., involvement in youth movements, marriage encounter, gathering with people and praying with them in their homes. There seems to be one urgent need right now, i.e. -catechising of parents and adults.

PLAN OF SELF-STUDY
Introduction:
The main aim of this plan is to look at 'how God calls' and 'for what mission' and to come to a CLEAR VISION of the ESSENCE OF OUR CALL which is FOR OTHERS. We hope from this self-study to get new eyes to see people and things as Christ sees them.

'God will speak to those who prayerfully read the Bible as his word. He will not speak in an audible voice; he will not even form words in our minds. His speaking will use no other words than the words we read -but those words will take on meaning and become alive as if God were present speaking them directly to us. We will have a strong sense that the words of scripture are indeed addressed to us and are talking about us; we will have a sense that they have a meaning and application in our lives and specific situations. The Bible will be not merely God's word, but God's WORD to me. Our hearts will burn within us as we read - not with violent emotion but with the gentle touch of the Holy Spirit, a peaceful presence within us, an assurance that the Father indeed loves us and calls us by name.'

Reading Scripture as the Word.

Click on each unit below


Click on



For more information click here......

Conversation


Add to Conversation

 

Rating for March

0
 
0
Please click to rate 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down'...

Date
30 November 2022

Tag 1
Courses

Tag 2
Prayer

Tag 3
Teaching

Source Name
Marist Sisters

Source URL
http://www.maristlaityaustralia.com...

Activity

Listen to the audio by clicking play.

Share this with your community and family.

Click on

(Print Page)








Page Counter
10 visitors this month.






Buffer Digg Facebook Google LinkedIn Print Reddit StumbleUpon Tumblr Twitter VK Yummly






Marist Laity Australia - Home Page