Apr 19 Sun
What does Kerygma mean?
In Acts, Peter says to the Jews in Jerusalem, “Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs.” Saint Luke reports that the two disciples on the road to Emmaus say, “Jesus the Nazarene… was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.” Jesus publicly proved he was a great prophet by his sublime teachings and by his miracles.
But prophets can die: in fact, they are usually executed.
Jesus himself teaches the disappointed disciples that He is the one who has redeemed Israel and that doing so was God’s “set plan” from the beginning. It was necessary “that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory.” This plan was foretold in the Jewish scriptures. Now Jesus shows them what was there that they had never seen.
The Greek word kerygma, or preaching, refers to the most fundamental proclamation of the Gospel. It tells us who Jesus Christ is, what He has done for us, and how we should respond.
It is essential and answers the question of why we are followers of Christ.
We have heard the glad tidings that God the Father out of love sent God the Son to become man; and that through his life, death, and resurrection the Son Jesus Christ has redeemed us from sin and death; and that God the Holy Spirit is pouring out graces on us so we can repent and live transformed lives until we enjoy eternal life with the Blessed Trinity and all the saved forever.
The Greek word Didache, or teaching (or catechesis or formation), is the ongoing total formation we need to deepen our understanding of the Gospel and to live it more faithfully.
How do kerygma and catechesis (or Didache) relate? Pope Francis explains: “All Christian formation consists of entering more deeply into the kerygma, which is reflected in and constantly illumines, the work of catechesis.”
This ever-deeper formation is doctrinal (knowing the faith better), scriptural (knowing what God has spoken in his Word), moral (living according to Christian morality and the virtues), sacramental (the basic means by which we receive grace), ascetical (having a personal relationship with Christ through prayer), and communitarian (we are a people, not a collection of individuals).
In sum, we need Christian formation.
It is impossible to do everything at once, but we can begin to do one thing at a time for ourselves and others in our family, parish, or diocese. Here are some ways to become better formed:
- Deepen our knowledge of the doctrine of the faith by attending some classes.
- Read the New Testament a few minutes daily.
- Struggle to obey the moral law as the Church teaches it.
- Work on acquiring a particular virtue, especially the one you need most.
- Frequent the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and regular confession.
- Spend time in prayer each day, talking with Our Lord.
- Be involved with other people in acts of service.