"The Church does not evangelize unless she constantly lets herself be evangelized..."

[MariaChristi]

Commentary for today’s Godpel (Mt 13: 1-23), Sunday July 13
Pope Francis
Apostolic Exhortation « Evangelii Gaudium / The Joy of the Gospel» § 174-175 (trans. © copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana)
“The one who hears the word and understands it, indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold”

All evangelization is based on the Word of God, listened to, meditated upon, lived, celebrated and witnessed to. The sacred Scriptures are the very source of evangelization. Consequently, we need to be constantly trained in hearing the word. The Church does not evangelize unless she constantly lets herself be evangelized. It is indispensable that the word of God “be ever more fully at the heart of every ecclesial activity” (Benedict XVI). God’s word, listened to and celebrated, above all in the Eucharist, nourishes and inwardly strengthens Christians, enabling them to offer an authentic witness to the Gospel in daily life. We have long since moved beyond that old contraposition between word and sacrament. The preaching of the word, living and effective, prepares for the reception of the sacrament, and in the sacrament that word attains its maximum efficacy.

The study of the sacred Scriptures must be a door opened to every believer. It is essential that the revealed word radically enrich our catechesis and all our efforts to pass on the faith.[137] Evangelization demands familiarity with God’s word, which calls for dioceses, parishes and Catholic associations to provide for a serious, ongoing study of the Bible, while encouraging its prayerful individual and communal reading. We do not blindly seek God, or wait for him to speak to us first, for “God has already spoken, and there is nothing further that we need to know, which has not been revealed to us” (Benedict XVI). Let us receive the sublime treasure of the revealed word.

What a powerful commentary! Thank You, Lord, for the Gift of Your Holy Word! Enable us this day to listen by Your Grace and to do the Truth we hear.

 

[hazcompat]

Address to the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Biblical Commission
Pope Benedict XVI​

The life and mission of the Church based on the Word of God

Moreover, these indications, very necessary for a correct historical and literary interpretation as the primary dimension of all exegesis, require a connection with the premises of the teaching on the inspiration and truth of Sacred Scripture. In fact, since Scripture is inspired, there is a supreme principal for its correct interpretation without which the sacred writings would remain a dead letter of the past alone: Sacred Scripture “must be read and interpreted with its divine authorship in mind” (ibid., 12).

In this regard, the Second Vatican Council points out three criteria that always apply for an interpretation of Sacred Scripture in conformity with the Spirit that inspired it.

First of all it is essential to pay great attention to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture: only in its unity is it Scripture. Indeed, however different the books of which it is composed may be, Sacred Scripture is one by virtue of the unity of God’s plan whose centre and heart is Jesus Christ (cf. Lk 24:25-27; Lk 24:44-46).

Secondly, Scripture must be interpreted in the context of the living tradition of the whole Church. According to a statement of Origen: “Sacra Scriptura principalius est in corde Ecclesiae quam in materialibus instrumentis scripta”, that is, “Sacred Scripture is written in the heart of the Church before being written on material instruments”.

Indeed, in her Tradition the Church bears the living memory of the Word of God and it is the Holy Spirit who gives her its interpretation according to the spiritual meaning (cf. Origin, Homilae in Leviticum, 5,5).

As a third criterion, it is necessary to pay attention to the analogy of the faith, that is to the consistence of the individual truths of faith with one another and with the overall plan of the Revelation and the fullness of the divine economy contained in it.

ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/b16pontbibcom.HTM

Peace

 

[MariaChristi]

Address to the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Biblical Commission
Pope Benedict XVI​

The life and mission of the Church based on the Word of God

Moreover, these indications, very necessary for a correct historical and literary interpretation as the primary dimension of all exegesis, require a connection with the premises of the teaching on the inspiration and truth of Sacred Scripture. In fact, since Scripture is inspired, there is a supreme principal for its correct interpretation without which the sacred writings would remain a dead letter of the past alone: Sacred Scripture “must be read and interpreted with its divine authorship in mind” (ibid., 12).

In this regard, the Second Vatican Council points out three criteria that always apply for an interpretation of Sacred Scripture in conformity with the Spirit that inspired it.

First of all it is essential to pay great attention to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture: only in its unity is it Scripture. Indeed, however different the books of which it is composed may be, Sacred Scripture is one by virtue of the unity of God’s plan whose centre and heart is Jesus Christ (cf. Lk 24:25-27; Lk 24:44-46).

Secondly, Scripture must be interpreted in the context of the living tradition of the whole Church. According to a statement of Origen: “Sacra Scriptura principalius est in corde Ecclesiae quam in materialibus instrumentis scripta”, that is, “Sacred Scripture is written in the heart of the Church before being written on material instruments”.

Indeed, in her Tradition the Church bears the living memory of the Word of God and it is the Holy Spirit who gives her its interpretation according to the spiritual meaning (cf. Origin, Homilae in Leviticum, 5,5).

As a third criterion, it is necessary to pay attention to the analogy of the faith, that is to the consistence of the individual truths of faith with one another and with the overall plan of the Revelation and the fullness of the divine economy contained in it.

ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/b16pontbibcom.HTM

Peace

Thanks, hazmat, for your reply and for the link. Our recent Popes especially Paul VI, St. John Paul and Pope Emeritus (Benedict VI) have consistently taught the Church exists to evangelize. Pope Francis is further acknowledging the need for Catholics today to understand that they must keep learning the faith they were taught as children or perhaps in RCIA (as spiritual children) in order to grow into mature Catholic Christians.

We need not only to be obedient to all Christ teaches through His Church but also be able to share our faith by living it. Witnessing by example and explaining to others why we live as we do can give hope to others – that they might likewise come into a truly sound relationship with God and continue to grow in holiness – God calls all to be saints!

How better to grow in Him, than to take up His Word and seriously, daily pray the Scripture!

…All evangelization is based on the Word of God, listened to, meditated upon, lived, celebrated and witnessed to. The sacred Scriptures are the very source of evangelization. Consequently, we need to be constantly trained in hearing the word. Underlining is mine.

May God help us, clergy and people, to let the words of today’s Gospel sink down deep into our hearts that we may bear fruit for His Glory and the good of all our brothers and sisters.