Christifidelis Laici 61

This week we continue with our discussion of formation for the life of discipleship as one of Christ’s lay-faithful turning to the who of this task of formation. Pope St. John Paul the Great identifies, first of all, that those involved in formation are collaborators with God. This work of formation is naturally identified as the work of father and mother. And so, we begin the GOD the FATHER. But how does He teach? Through Christ, the Teacher! Read the Gospels – a picture of Christ in words, Who IS the Word made flesh.

He extends this beautiful image with our Holy Mother, the Church.  She holds us forms us in her womb, preparing us to go forth as disciples of Christ.  How does she do this?  Through the ministry of Peter, the teaching of the Pope.  As I discussed in the homily last weekend, this typically, and fruitfully comes to the individual disciple through the ministry of the local Church, headed by the bishop who is assisted in this ministry by priest-pastors and so many others.  We are reminded that it is the parish which is “called to instruct its members in hearing God’s Word, in liturgical and personal dialogue with God, in the life of fraternal charity, and in allowing a more direct and concrete perception of the sense of ecclesial communion and responsibility in the Church’s mission.”  So…

      1.  How attentive am I to the teaching of the Church?  Do I try to understand the teachings I am offered and strive to apply them to my everyday life?

      2.  If I don’t understand that which is offered in scripture, in the Pope’s teaching, or in that which is presented in the parish, what do I do to reach understanding?

      3.  Do I seek to be formed every day, or at least – every week, to be a more intentional disciple of Jesus Christ?

Challenge:  Seek to read or listen to something which will form you into a more intentional disciple of Christ this week, and then again next week, and then again the next week…