FORMATION
FORMATION 1997
THEME NO. 3
Jesus Christ’s mission of
proclaiming the Good News
1. Formation Prayer
(To be recited by all present.)
In the name of the Father …
Heavenly Father, as we commence this session
of the Formation Programme, help us to believe you are near to us and that you care for
each one of us every day of our lives. Send the Holy Spirit to be our helper and our
guide, enlightening our minds, giving us the grace to serve you with generous hearts and
inspiring us to stand firm as Christians in your love. We ask this through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
2. Scripture Reading – Lukes
4:16–22
(Read by the discussion leader or the
member nominated by him.)
When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had
been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood
up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll
and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to
the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim
the year of the Lord’s favour." And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the
attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began
to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." All
spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.
3. The Message
(Read by the discussion leader or the
member nominated by him.)
Those who met Jesus struggled with the
question as to what kind of Messiah he was to be. This passage gives a very clear response
that Jesus was a prophetic Messiah, one who would proclaim a message from God. It is
worthy of note that the same Spirit which was given to Jesus was the Spirit which was
"poured out" on the followers of Jesus at Pentecost. Later on Jesus will make it
very clear that he is a prophet in the line of the other great prophets of the Old
Testament whose message was often rejected while they themselves were ridiculed and
persecuted. Yet there was a perfect harmony between the message which Jesus gave to people
and his own way of being and acting. He was painstaking in his efforts to bring the good
news to the poor, the marginalised, the sinners and those who were considered to be
unclean. To serve this purpose, Jesus used simple stories (parables) taken from the daily
experience of the people to convey important truths about their new relationship with God.
Moreover, he shared the life of the poor from the day of his birth until he died on the
Cross. We also know that he experienced hunger, thirst and loneliness.
4. The Exercise
(Five minutes of reflection by all
members.)
Which of the parables taught by Jesus has had
a lasting impact on my life?
Why does the message proclaimed by Jesus fail
to make an impact on people’s lives at the present time?
How do I carry out the calling given to me at
Baptism and Confirmation to pass on the good news proclaimed by Jesus Christ to the
communities in which I live?
5. The Sharing
(Members share aspects of their personal
faith and its place in their lives that have come to them through the Exercise.)
6. The Word
(The basis of meditation and reflection
for the ensuing month given by the discussion leader.)
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18).
7. Closing Prayer
(Recited by all members)
Father, keep before us the wisdom and love
you have revealed in your Son. Help us to be like him in word and deed, for he lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
