FORMATION
FORMATION 1997
THEME NO.7
‘Baptism constitutes the
foundation of communion among all Christians’ (TMA 41)
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 – I
Corinthians 1:10–13
(Read by the discussion leader or the
member nominated by him.)
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no
divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it
has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels amoung you, my
brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul,"
or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong
to Christ". Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptised
in the name of Paul?
3. The Message
(Read by the discussion leader or the
member nominated by him.)
In the mind of Saint Paul, the first sin of
the Church is the division among believers. In the community of Christians at Corinth,
each person was using the name of an Apostle to back his aggressive attitude or to form a
separate group. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that Baptism constitutes the
foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet in full
communion with the Catholic Church. It refers to the teaching of the II Vatican
Council: "For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptised are put in
some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified in Baptism, they are
incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with
good reason are accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church".
Recently Pope John Paul II issued another plea for all Catholics to pray and to work
for unity among all Christians. Even if the Catholic Church is endowed with all the means
which God wishes for his Church, the Pope states that the Catholic Church does not forget
that many among her members cause God’s plan to be discernible only with difficulty
(cf Ut Unum Sint art. 11).
4. The Exercise
(Five minutes of reflection by all
members.)
Why is it important that the Christian
Churches strive for greater unity at the present time?
How can the Catholic Church make herself more
appealing to those who are not in full communion with her?
What can this group do to respond to the call
of the Pope?
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.)
"I have other sheep that do not belong
to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice, so there will be
one flock, one shepherd" (John 10:16).
7. Closing Prayer
(Recited by all members)
Father, look with love on your people and
pour out on them the gifts of your Spirit. May they constantly grow in the love of truth.
May they study and work together for perfect unity among Christians. We ask this through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
