FORMATION
FORMATION 1997
THEME NO.5
‘Christians should turn with
renewed interest to the Bible’ (TMA 40)
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 - Hebrews
1:1–3, 4:12–13
(Read by the discussion leader or the
member nominated by him.)
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many
and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son,
whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the
reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he
sustains all things by his powerful word.
Indeed, the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from
marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no
creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must
render an account.
3. The Message
(Read by the discussion leader or the member
nominated by him.)
It was because of our human situation that
God has spoken to us in human words. The Dogmatic Constitution of the II Vatican Council
on Divine Revelation states: "Indeed the words of God, expressed in the words of men,
are in every way like human language, just as the Word of the eternal Father, when he took
on himself the flesh of human weakness, became like men" (Dei Verbum 13). Christ is
that unique word of Sacred Scripture. We honour the Scriptures as we honour the
Lord’s Body. Both the Table of the Word and the Table of the Lord’s Body present
the bread of life. Sacred Scripture is a constant source of strength and nourishment for
the Church. The Church judges that all the books of the Old and the New Testaments are
written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and therefore have God for their author.
God chose and employed certain people to compose these sacred books, making full use of
their faculties and powers. That truth that is taught firmly, faithfully and without error
in the Scriptures is what God wanted to record in the sacred writings for our salvation.
Hence, we do not read the Scriptures to learn about scientific facts, but only that truth
which is for our salvation. The first basic principle of interpretation is to be attentive
to what the human authors truly wanted to affirm and what God wanted to reveal to us by
their words.
4. The Exercise
(Five minutes of reflection by all
members.)
Whom can our group invite to assist us to
deepen our knowledge of and love for the Scriptures?
In what circumstances have the Scriptures
assisted me in my spiritual life?
How can I prepare for a more fruitful
engagement with the reading of the Scriptures at the celebration of the Eucharist?
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.)
"Speak, Lord, for your servant is
listening" (I Samuel 3:9).
7. Closing Prayer
(Recited by all members)
Father, watch over your family and keep us
safe in your care, for all our hope is in you. We make this prayer through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
