FORMATION
FORMATION 2000
THEME NO. 5
“Walking as reconciled people”
1. Opening Prayer
(To be introduced by the leader then
prayed by all present.)
Leader:
My brothers in Christ, gathered here together as sons of God and in the name
of the Church, let us prepare our minds and hearts and pray to the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ for the renewal of the Church and the salvation of the world.
All:
God. our heavenly Father, as we begin the new millennium, we ask you to
continue, through us, the work which your Son began; to make you known to all humanity.
Give us the courage to acknowledge your presence in a world where many have turned away
from you.
Enlighten our minds and open our
hearts to embrace all people. Enrich our lives with your love so that we may be your
disciples in bringing peace, reconciliation and justice to our families, our communities
and the world.
Heal the brokenness of your people:
the oppressed, the abandoned, those who are cast out of their own land or rejected by
others. Deepen our understanding of the Eucharist, the sacrament of love and
reconciliation.
May the Spirit, who dwells within each
one of us give us right judgement and show us the way to everlasting peace. We ask this
through Jesus your Son and our brother. Amen.
Prayer written by
Rachael Bongiorno, Catholic Secondary School student, NSW
2. The Focus
(Read by the discussion leader or member
nominated by him.)
The Third Millennium is:
A time of Reconciliation with indigenous
Australians.
We commit ourselves to furthering the cause
of justice in this country in the spirit of Jubilee. We especially commit ourselves to
furthering the cause of reconciliation between Indigenous Australians and those whose
forebears have come from other countries. We believe we cannot celebrate the 2000th
anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ with any authenticity if we are not reconciled
with one another.
From
"The Coming of the Third Millennium" Catholic Bishops of Australia.
The Jubilee can also offer an opportunity
for reflecting on other challenges of our time, such as the difficulties of dialogue
between different cultures and the problems connected with respect for women's rights and
the promotion of the family and marriage … Christ entered this world to give witness
to the truth, to rescue and not to sit in judgement, to serve and not to be served.
Therefore, ever since the apostolic age, the Church's mission has continued without
interruption within the whole human family.
From "Tertio Millennio Adveniente" John Paul II #
51, 56 – 57
These readings are followed by five
minutes of silent reflection on the following:
•
Reconciliation takes on a special dimension when we
consider it in the light of our relationships and attitudes to indigenous Australians and
to Australians who have settled or wish to settle here from other cultures. What do we
really know of indigenous Australians, their true history, their struggle for
Reconciliation and their claims for the recognition of native title claims? How do we view
those who seek residency in Australia as refugees and boat people? Do they have a place in
our church communities, a right to our care and support?
3. The Word
– Matthew 15: 21–28
(The Word of God gives us our context
for reflection and action. This read by one member.)
A reading from the Gospel of Matthew
Jesus left that place and went away to the
district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and
started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by
a demon." But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him,
saying,
"Send her away, for she keeps shouting
after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He
answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs."
She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters'
table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be
done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.
For a few minutes, all silently
reflect on these words of Jesus and on what they place before us.
4. The Sharing
(During this time (10 minutes) members
share insights gained from reflection on the Focus and the Word of God.)
Consider particularly the following:
• The Canaanite
woman, who was an outsider in the eyes of the disciples of Jesus, sensed in Jesus, hope
for all peoples of the earth.
• Not only those who
are of 'the house of Israel' have claim to the mercy and kindness of God.
• What would my
attitude have been to this woman of another culture?
5. The Action
What steps can we, the Knights of the
Southern Cross, take in regard to the issues raised in this time of reflection?
6. Closing Prayer
(Prayed by all members.)
God of the ages, your eternal Word became
flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, that we might see your glory and the
glory also of your Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Grant that, by the work of the Holy Spirit,
the seeds of faith, given to us by Christ may bring forth a harvest sown for your glory
and for the salvation of the world.
May we always reflect your love, choosing
the values of the gospel and in serving others until we come to our fulfilment in Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
