Education

Tuesday, January 15 2013

Recommendations regarding:	Paragraph # in Verbum Domini
Education
Formation according to Scripture
Catechists, necessity of formation Laity, need for formation Memorization of Bible Social Teaching, need for formation of laity Training for liturgical readers Young people, need for witnesses and teachers	75 84 74 100 58 104
Interpretation of Scripture
Canonical interpretation, importance of Catechism of the Catholic Church Dark passages Dei Verbum Exegesis, relationship with theology Exegetes: role; relationship with pastors and theologians Hermeneutic of faith; biblical hermeneutics Inspiration Mariology Private revelation Sacrament, unity with word Saints, role in interpretation of Scripture Schools and universities Sin Study of the word, done in an ecclesial spirit Testaments, relationship between New and Old Translations of the Bible Truth and inspiration, necessary concepts in hermeneutics	57 74 42 35 35 33, 45 47, 29 19 27 14 53 48 111 26 47 41 46 19

 

Centres of formation should be established for catechists, as well as institutes for biblical studies

• “all Christians, and catechists in particular, need to receive suitable training. . . . centres of formation should be established where laity and missionaries can be trained to understand, live and proclaim the word of God. Also, where needed, specialized institutes for biblical studies should be established to ensure that exegetes possess a solid understanding of theology and an appropriate appreciation for the contexts in which they carry out their mission.” (Verbum Domini 75)

Dioceses should provide continuing formation to lay persons with ecclesial responsibilities

• Laity: “Wherever possible, dioceses themselves should provide an opportunity for continuing formation to lay persons charged with particular ecclesial responsibilities.” (Verbum Domini 84)

Memorization of Bible passages is to be recommended

• “A knowledge of biblical personages, events and well-known sayings should thus be encouraged; this can also be promoted by the judicious memorization of some passages which are particularly expressive of the Christian mysteries.” (Verbum Domini 74)

The lay faithful should be educated in the Church’s social teaching

• “It is primarily the task of the lay faithful, formed in the school of the Gospel, to be directly involved in political and social activity. For this reason, the Synod recommends that they receive a suitable formation in the principles of the Church’s social teaching.” (Verbum Domini 100)

Readers (Lectors) who proclaim the first or second reading during Mass require careful preparation and training

• “The Synod on the Eucharist had already called for greater care to be taken in the proclamation of the word of God. As is known, while the Gospel is proclaimed by a priest or deacon, in the Latin tradition the first and second readings are proclaimed by an appointed reader, whether a man or a woman. I would like to echo the Synod Fathers who once more stressed the need for the adequate training of those who exercise the munus of reader in liturgical celebrations, and particularly those who exercise the ministry of Reader, which in the Latin rite is, as such, a lay ministry. All those entrusted with this office, even those not instituted in the ministry of Reader, should be truly suitable and carefully trained. This training should be biblical and liturgical, as well as technical: “The purpose of their biblical formation is to give readers the ability to understand the readings in context and to perceive by the light of faith central point of the revealed message. The liturgical formation ought to equip readers to have some grasp of the meaning and structure of the liturgy of the word and the significance of its connection with the liturgy of the Eucharist. The technical preparation should make the readers skilled in the art of reading publicly, either with the power of their own voice or with the help of sound equipment.”” (Verbum Domini 58)

Young people should be taught to love the Gospel and be familiar with sacred Scripture

• “Concern for young people calls for courage and clarity in the message we proclaim; we need to help young people to gain confidence and familiarity with sacred Scripture so it can become a compass pointing out the path to follow. Young people need witnesses and teachers who can walk with them, teaching them to love the Gospel and to share it, especially with their peers, and thus to become authentic and credible messengers.” (Verbum Domini 104)

Canonical interpretation is necessary to reconcile any apparent differences between the Old and New Testament readings in the Lectionary

• “Any remaining difficulties in seeing the relationship between those readings [i.e., the Old and New Testament readings in the Lectionary] should be approached in the light of canonical interpretation, that is to say, by referring to the inherent unity of the Bible as a whole. Wherever necessary, the competent offices and groups can make provision for publications aimed at bringing out the interconnection of the Lectionary readings, all of which are to be proclaimed to the liturgical assembly as called for by the liturgy of the day. Other problems or difficulties should be brought to the attention of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.” (Verbum Domini 57)

The link between scripture and the Catechism must be emphasized

• “it is important to stress the relationship between sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church” (Verbum Domini 74)

The dark passages of scripture must be approached with the light of the mystery of Christ

• “I encourage scholars and pastors to help all the faithful to approach these [dark] passages through an interpretation which enables their meaning to emerge in the light of the mystery of Christ.” (Verbum Domini 42)

Exegesis and theology exist in a reciprocal relationship; both need the other

• “In a word, ‘where exegesis is not theology, Scripture cannot be the soul of theology, and conversely, where theology is not essentially the interpretation of the Church’s Scripture, such a theology no longer has a foundation’. Hence we need to take a more careful look at the indications provided by the Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum in this regard.” (Verbum Domini 35)

Exegetes must not limit themselves to historical analysis; they must also explain the meaning of God’s word for today

• “Catholic exegetes must never forget that what they are interpreting is the word of God. Their common task is not finished when they have simply determined sources, defined forms or explained literary procedures. They arrive at the true goal of their work only when they have explained the meaning of the biblical text as God’s word for today” (Verbum Domini 33)

There is need for a closer working relationship between pastors, exegetes and theologians

• “The Synod Fathers themselves recommended, for example, a closer working relationship between pastors, exegetes and theologians. Episcopal Conferences might foster such encounters with the “aim of promoting greater communion in the service of the word of God”.” (Verbum Domini 45)

A hermeneutic of faith is necessary in exegetical and theological formation, particularly for seminarians

• A “hermeneutic of faith” has “necessary implications for exegetical and theological formation, particularly that of candidates for the priesthood.” (Verbum Domini 47)

The nature of the scriptures demands that they be interpreted within the life of the Church

• “Here we can point to a fundamental criterion of biblical hermeneutics: the primary setting for scriptural interpretation is the life of the Church. This is not to uphold the ecclesial context as an extrinsic rule to which exegetes must submit, but rather is something demanded by the very nature of the Scriptures and the way they gradually came into being.” (Verbum Domini 29)

A deeper study of the concepts of inspiration and truth is needed today in order to better understand scripture

• “Certainly theological reflection has always considered inspiration and truth as two key concepts for an ecclesial hermeneutic of the sacred Scriptures. Nonetheless, one must acknowledge the need today for a fuller and more adequate study of these realities, in order better to respond to the need to interpret the sacred texts in accordance with their nature. Here I would express my fervent hope that research in this field will progress and bear fruit both for biblical science and for the spiritual life of the faithful.” (Verbum Domini 19)

The faithful need to be taught the close relationship between Mary, and the hearing of God’s word

• “In our day the faithful need to be helped to see more clearly the link between Mary of Nazareth and the faith-filled hearing of God’s word. I would encourage scholars as well to study the relationship between Mariology and the theology of the word. This could prove most beneficial both for the spiritual life and for theological and biblical studies.” (Verbum Domini 27)

The faithful need to be taught to distinguish the word of God from private revelations, which can help us live that word more fully in a certain period of history

• After discussing the completeness of all revelation in Jesus Christ, Pope Benedict XVI notes that “the Synod pointed to the need to ‘help the faithful to distinguish the word of God from private revelations’ whose role ‘is not to ‘complete’ Christ’s definitive revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history’. . . . A private revelation can introduce new emphases, give rise to new forms of piety, or deepen older ones. It can have a certain prophetic character (cf. 1 Th 5:19-21) and can be a valuable aid for better understanding and living the Gospel at a certain time; consequently it should not be treated lightly. It is a help which is proffered, but its use is not obligatory. In any event, it must be a matter of nourishing faith, hope and love, which are for everyone the permanent path of salvation.” (Verbum Domini 14)

There is a need to explain the unity between word and sacrament within the Church’s ministry

• “the liturgy of the word is a decisive element in the celebration of each one of the sacraments of the Church”; in pastoral practice, however, the faithful are not always conscious of this connection, nor do they appreciate the unity between gesture and word. It is “the task of priests and deacons, above all when they administer the sacraments, to explain the unity between word and sacrament in the ministry of the Church”.” (Verbum Domini 53)

Interpretation of Scripture includes listening to the Saints, who have truly lived God’s word

• “The interpretation of sacred Scripture would remain incomplete were it not to include listening to those who have truly lived the word of God: namely, the saints. . . . Every saint is like a ray of light streaming forth from the word of God” (Verbum Domini 48)

Religious education should be fostered, with emphasis placed on knowledge of sacred Scripture

• “Study centres supported by Catholic groups offer a distinct contribution to the promotion of culture and education – and this ought to be recognized. Nor must religious education be neglected, and religion teachers should be given careful training. Religious education is often the sole opportunity available for students to encounter the message of faith. In the teaching of religion, emphasis should be laid on knowledge of sacred Scripture, as a means of overcoming prejudices old and new, and enabling its truth to be better known.” (Verbum Domini 111)

The root of sin is the refusal to hear God’s word

• “For this reason it is important that the faithful be taught to acknowledge that the root of sin lies in the refusal to hear the word of the Lord, and to accept in Jesus, the Word of God, the forgiveness which opens us to salvation.” (Verbum Domini 26)

Study of the word of God should be carried out in a profoundly ecclesial spirit

• “Along these lines, I urge that the study of the word of God, both handed down and written, be constantly carried out in a profoundly ecclesial spirit, and that academic formation take due account of the pertinent interventions of the magisterium, which “is not superior to the word of God, but is rather its servant.” (Verbum Domini 47)

There is a need to show the close relationship between the Old and New Testaments

• “It is important, therefore, that in both pastoral and academic settings the close relationship between the two Testaments be clearly brought out” (Verbum Domini 41)

Ecumenical translations of the Bible are to be encouraged

• “Promoting common translations of the Bible is part of the ecumenical enterprise. I would like to thank all those engaged in this important work, and I encourage them to persevere in their efforts.” (Verbum Domini 46)

A deeper study of the concepts of inspiration and truth is needed today in order to better understand scripture

• “Certainly theological reflection has always considered inspiration and truth as two key concepts for an ecclesial hermeneutic of the sacred Scriptures. Nonetheless, one must acknowledge the need today for a fuller and more adequate study of these realities, in order better to respond to the need to interpret the sacred texts in accordance with their nature. Here I would express my fervent hope that research in this field will progress and bear fruit both for biblical science and for the spiritual life of the faithful.” (Verbum Domini 19)