PRESENTATION
Abbreviations used
Introduction
PART ONE: General Aspects
Ch. 1. The Word of God and Sacred Scripture
Ch. 2. The Word of God in Claret and in the Congregation
Ch. 3. The Ministry of the Word in Formation
PART TWO: Stages
Ch. 4. I. Stage of Preparation. Postulancy
Ch. 5. II. Stage of Initiation. Novitiate
Ch. 6. III. Stage of Development and Consolidation Missionaries in Formation
Ch. 7. Special Moments
Appendices
Appendix 1: What the Bible Tells us about the Word of God
Appendix 2: Vocation and Formation Texts of the Bible
Appendix 3: Texts of Claret on the Bible
Appendix 4: The Word of God in the Congregation (Pedagogical Orientations)
Appendix 5: Methods for Reading and Praying Sacred Scripture
Appendix 6: Project for Bible Reading during the Formation Process
Appendix 7: Survey on the Word for Postulants, Novices and Students
Appendix 8: Celebration of the Word
Appendix 9: Claretian Bibliography
1. The Word of God:
– Has created all things: Gen 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26; Ps 33:6-9; Wis 9:1; Jn 1:3; Heb 11:3.
– Sustains the universe: Sir 43:26; Heb 1:3; 2 Pt 3:5.
– Fulfills God’s commands: Is 11:4, 55:10-11; Wis 18:14-16; Ps 147:15.
– Is very near to human beings: Dt 30:11-14; Rom 10:8-10.
– Is cordial and sincere: Ex 33:11.
– Is joy and happiness: Jer 15:16.
– Proclaims the faithfulness of God: Ps 89:2.
– Calls us together: Bar 5:5.
– Is living and effective: Heb 4:12.
– Gives life: Ps 119:50; Bar 4:1.
– Is the sword of the Spirit: Eph 6:17.
– Acts effectively in the faithful: 1 Thes 2:13.
– Is sown: Mt 13:1-9,18-23 (= Mk 4:1-9,13-20 = Lk 8:4-8, 11-15).
– Regenerates: 1 Pt 1:23-25; 1 Jn 3:9.
2. The words of the Law of the Lord:
– Are written down by Moses: Ex 24:4; 34:27-28.
– Each one must fix them in his heart and in his soul: Dt 6:6-9; 11:18-21; 32:46-47.
– God will engrave them in our hearts: Jer 31:33.
3. The prophets announce the words of the Lord:
– The prophets proclaim them: Dt 18:18-19; Is 51:16; Jer 1:9.
4. Who the Word is:
– The Word existed from the beginning: Jn 1:1.
– The Word was made flesh: Jn 1:14.
5. The Scriptures are fulfilled in Jesus:
– Mt 1:22-23; 2:15,17,23; 4:14-16; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4-5; 26:54-56; 27:9; Mk 14:49; Lk 4:21; 18:31-33; 21:22; 22:37-38; 24:25-27,44-47; Jn 12:38; 13:18; 15:25; 17:12; 19:24,28,30,36; Acts 2:16-21,29-31; 3:17-18.
6. Jesus, by his word:
– Delivers from evil: Mt. 4:23-24; 8:9 (and parallels); delivers from death: Lk 7:14-17; Jn 11:1-44.
– Stills the storm: Mk 4:39 (and parallels).
– Jesus heals: Mt 8:5-13 (= Lk 7:1-10 = Jn 4:43-54).
– Expels evil spirits: Mt 8:16.
7. Jesus announces:
– The words that God has given to him: Jn 3:34; 8:47; 12:50; 14:24; 17:8,14.
– The word: Mk 2:2; 4:14,33.
– The Kingdom of God: Mt 4:17 (= Mk 1:14-15); Lk 4:43-44; 8:1.
– The gospel of peace: Acts 10:36; Eph 2:17.
– Salvation to all who believe in him: Jn 12:44-50.
8. The words of Jesus:
– Are spirit and life: Jn 6:63.
9. God makes his word known:
– By the ministry of the apostles: Lk 1:2; Titus 1:3; Heb 13:7
10. The Word of God in the origins of the Church:
– Acts 4:29,31; 6:2,4,7; 8:4,14,25; 10:36; 11:1,19; 12:25; 13:5,7,44,48-49; 14:12,24; 15:7,35-36; 16:6,32; 7:11,13; 18:5,11; 19:10,20; 20:7,18-35.
11. Man lives on the Word of God:
– Dt 8:3; Wis 16:26; Mt 4:4 (= Lk 4:4); Jn 5:24; 6; 8:51-52.
12. Christians:
– Hear and keep the Word: Mt 7:24-27 (= Lk 6:47-49) 13:23 (= Mk 4:20 = Lk 8:15); Lk 8:21; 10:39; 11:28; Jn 5:24-25; 8:31-32,47,51-52; 14:23-24; 17:6-8; Jas 1:22-25; 1 Jn 2:5,7.
– Receive the Word: Acts 8:14; 11:1; 17:11; 1 Thes 1:6; 2:13.
– Believe in the Word: 1 Pet 2:8; 3:1.
13. How should we read the Scriptures?
– For our instruction: Rom 15:4.
– For salvation: 2 Tim 3:14-16.
– Read and interpreted in “community”: 2 Pet 1:20; 3:16.
14. The “words” are summed up in the Word:
– They testify concerning Christ: Jn 5:39.
– “To see whose voice it was that spoke to me” (Rev 1:12).
15. Five attitudes regarding the Word:
– Hear: Lk 1:26-33; 10:39.
– Receive: Lk 1:34-38.
– Keep: Lk 2:19,51.
– Practice: Lk 11:28.
– Proclaim: Lk 1:39-45 (Magnificat).