Ministry Tip of the Week
by Seth Evangelho
About a year and a half ago, Bishop Peter Libasci gathered catechists from around the Diocese of Manchester for a day of recollection. His goal was to begin implementing a cohesive strategy for faith formation across the years. From pre-K to First Communion Prep, through to High School Confirmation, Marriage Prep, R.C.I.A. and ongoing adult education, Bishop Libasci is calling his catechists to share a single vision. That vision... is Salvation History.
We're a part of the great plan of salvation. We have a story. How well do we know our story? The goal for the Diocese of Manchester is that everyone know our story, and that we're always growing deeper in our understanding of it at every stage of formation.
The Bible tells the story of God calling a people to himself, the story of God raising up a family. As Church we proclaim the message of salvation, which most certainly begins with the forgiveness of our sins; but there's so much more! Through Jesus' act of perfect love on the cross, the gates of heaven are opened and we're invited to become the adopted sons and daughters of the heavenly Father. The story of salvation is a dramatic unfolding of God's family, the story of a Father who longs so deeply for the love of his children. Slowly but surely, the Father was preparing the hearts of his people to receive the full revelation of his mercy. Slowly but surely, he was drawing humanity deeper into the mystery of his covenant love (the mutual gift of self).
We're a part of the great plan of salvation. We have a story. How well do we know our story? The goal for the Diocese of Manchester is that everyone know our story, and that we're always growing deeper in our understanding of it at every stage of formation.
The Bible tells the story of God calling a people to himself, the story of God raising up a family. As Church we proclaim the message of salvation, which most certainly begins with the forgiveness of our sins; but there's so much more! Through Jesus' act of perfect love on the cross, the gates of heaven are opened and we're invited to become the adopted sons and daughters of the heavenly Father. The story of salvation is a dramatic unfolding of God's family, the story of a Father who longs so deeply for the love of his children. Slowly but surely, the Father was preparing the hearts of his people to receive the full revelation of his mercy. Slowly but surely, he was drawing humanity deeper into the mystery of his covenant love (the mutual gift of self).
How well do we know this story? Is it at the center of our catechesis? I was delighted to hear the words as they flowed from Bishop Libasci's lips, for his plea was urgent and it stressed the importance of knowing who we are as Church. From our story flows the meaning of the sacramental life we live. Without this story, we have no foundation on which to understand and build upon the faith that has been handed down to us.
The more we understand what God was doing in the life of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and all the great figures of the Old Testament, the more effectively his Word will begin to live in our own personal histories. As we learn to interpret our own lives through the people and events of Scripture, we come to see more clearly the Lord alive and working in our midst. As we come to understand salvation history as a single story, as our story, we come to understand more powerfully our place not just in history but in the Father's heart, and in the great family of God we call Church.
For an entertaining overview of salvation history, complete with endearing stick-figure depictions of the biggest events (which, by the way, we're given full permission to use in our own teaching settings), get your hands on this book by Dr. John Bergsma:
Bible Basics for Catholics: A New Picture of Salvation History
If you'd like to go a bit deeper in your vision of salvation history, Dr. Scott Hahn presents a riveting vision and exploration of God's actions in Scripture:
A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God's Covenant Love in Scripture
Finally, for a more scholarly (but poetic) approach, I recommend this beautiful synthesis of the Old and New Testaments by Fr. Aidan Nichols:
Lovely, Like Jerusalem: The Fulfillment of the Old Testament in Christ and the Church
There are other great resources out there as well. The point is to grow deeper, and to learn how to more effectively pass your understanding on to the next generations. In Christ we are a family, and our story is the greatest the world has ever known. May we learn to tell it with passion and confidence.
For an entertaining overview of salvation history, complete with endearing stick-figure depictions of the biggest events (which, by the way, we're given full permission to use in our own teaching settings), get your hands on this book by Dr. John Bergsma:
Bible Basics for Catholics: A New Picture of Salvation History
If you'd like to go a bit deeper in your vision of salvation history, Dr. Scott Hahn presents a riveting vision and exploration of God's actions in Scripture:
A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God's Covenant Love in Scripture
Finally, for a more scholarly (but poetic) approach, I recommend this beautiful synthesis of the Old and New Testaments by Fr. Aidan Nichols:
Lovely, Like Jerusalem: The Fulfillment of the Old Testament in Christ and the Church
There are other great resources out there as well. The point is to grow deeper, and to learn how to more effectively pass your understanding on to the next generations. In Christ we are a family, and our story is the greatest the world has ever known. May we learn to tell it with passion and confidence.
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