Priests

The Richness of God's Word

Proposed Gospel Study

«Live in thanksgiving. May the Word of Christ dwell in you in all its richness!» (Col 3:15–16)

Introduction

  • (Constitutions, No. 37. VD 227. Dei Verbum, 25)
  • The Easter Testimony. (1 John 1:1–4; Romans 1:1–4)
  • Christ Leads Us into the Knowledge of God (Mt 11:27; VD 225; Jn 10:14–15, 27–28; Ps. 118)

I – God Reveals Himself

  • «Hear, O Israel!» (Deut. 6:4–7; John 16:13; Matt. 22:37–40; VD 108)
  • The Son conveys the Father’s word (Jn 8:35, 1:18; VD 96–97; Jn 3:33–35; Col 1:15; Jn 1:1–18; VD 59–63)
  • Through the Spirit, the whole truth. (John 16:13–14; Ephesians 3:4–5; 1 Corinthians 2:13–16)
  • How is the spiritual study of the Gospel the path to the Father and to knowing His Messenger?
  • Take some time for praise and contemplation: O Word! How beautiful You are!

II – Welcoming the Word

  • «The Lord has opened my ear» (Isaiah 50:4–5)
  • In community, at the heart of the liturgy. (Nehemiah 8:1–12)
  • Poverty, the example of Mary, the simplicity of a child (Ex 6:9; Deut 8:2–5. Amos 8:11; Luke 1:38, 2:18; VD 127–128; 1 Peter 1:22–25, 2:1–3)
  • Testimony and the Work of the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:16–21)
  • How great is my thirst for the Word of God—and that of other Christians? How does receiving the Word make me humble and poor, like a disciple before the Master?

III – Obstacles and Resistance

  • Christ’s Obedience to the Father’s Word (Matt. 26:36–46; Mark 8:32–33)
  • The Various Obstacles (Heb 4:11–13; Rev 3:14–22; Matt 13:1–23)
  • What are the «passions» (idols), the «reasonings» (hardening of the heart), and the «fears» (unbelief) that prevent us from receiving the Word?

IV – The Fruits of Studying the Gospel

  • Union with Christ through the Holy Spirit (2 Thess. 2:12–13; John 6:63; Isa. 55:10–12; Eph. 3)
  • The Gospel as a guide for life. It fulfills what it says. (VD 225–229; Ps 39:4; 1 Jn 1:1–4; 2 Tim 3:15–17)
  • «Teaching the Gospel to the poorest» (Phil. 2:15–16)
  • What fruits does the Holy Spirit grant me as I study the Gospel?
  • How do they serve as sources of inner transformation and missionary creativity?
  • What is the situation like within the Prado team and among the poor to whom we have been sent?

In conclusion

  • A Letter from Christ… (2 Cor. 3:2–4; Acts 10:33)
  • Write a prayer to the Holy Spirit?… one that includes one or two insights into the mystery of God and the commitment of a true disciple of Christ, along with this or that specific aspect of conversion!

Robert Daviaud (January 2010)