Msgr. David L. Toups

Rector’s Conference

Jesus

Christ

is

Lord!

Matthew 3:1

Luke 4:18-19

Romans 10:14

Webster: “the apostolic proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ”

We have come to believe in God’s love: in these words the Christian can express the fundamental decision of his life. Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. Saint John’s Gospel describes that event in these words: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should ... have eternal life” (3:16). [2005]

We must not think that in catechesis the kerygma gives way to a supposedly more “solid” formation. Nothing is more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wisdom-filled than that initial proclamation. All Christian formation consists of entering more deeply into the kerygma, which is reflected in and constantly illumines, the work of catechesis, thereby enabling us to understand more fully the significance of every subject which the latter treats. [2013]

It is the message capable of responding to the desire for the infinite which abides in every human heart. The centrality of the kerygma calls for stressing those elements which are most needed today: it has to express God’s saving love which precedes any moral and religious obligation on our part; it should not impose the truth but appeal to freedom; it should be marked by joy, encouragement, liveliness and a harmonious balance which will not reduce preaching to a few doctrines which are at times more philosophical than evangelical.

All this demands on the part of the evangelizer certain attitudes which foster openness to the message: approachability, readiness for dialogue, patience, a warmth and welcome which is non-judgmental.

Welcoming means putting things into perspective, setting right my way of thinking, understanding that life is not my private property and that time does not belong to me. It is a gradual parting from all that is mine: my time, my rest, my rights, my plans, my agenda. […] Saint Vincent helps us to appreciate this ecclesial “DNA” of welcoming, of openness, of communion.

Audience, 14 October 2017

Fourth Centenary of St. Vincent de Paul

“The Seminary is a school of humanity and faith, so that their conformation to Christ can grow.”

Daily encounter

Notice what God is doing on a daily basis

Inner renewal

Pray with expectant faith – be open/receptive

“Lord, I believe, help my unbelief” Matthew 9:24

Faith leads to enthusiasm: ἔνθεος (possessed by a god)

Importance of sharing our faith – discipleship diminishes if we don’t share it!

Receive and proclaim!!!

“How can I pray for you?”

Do I live like a man in love?

Jesus be

real to

me!

Daily Mass readings

Collect and prayers

Songs on the radio

Conversation with a colleague

Psalm in LOH

Movements of the heart

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring glad tidings to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Luke 4: 18-19

“Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than toteachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is becausethey are witnesses.” St. Peter expressed this well when heheld up the example of a reverent and chaste life thatwins over even without a word those who refuse to obeythe word. It is therefore primarily by her conduct and byher life that the Church will evangelize the world, inother words, by her living witness of fidelity to the LordJesus- the witness of poverty and detachment, offreedom in the face of the powers of this world, inshort, the witness of sanctity. [1975]

Before the rules, we must proclaim Christ and allow the Beauty, Goodness and Truth to capture hearts and minds

Cf. Bishop Robert Barron, To Light a Fire on the Earth: Proclaiming the Gospel in a Secular Age (2017)

Saints exemplify the Beauty, Goodness and Truth of God

Proclamation - Kerygma

World needs witnesses!

Faculty bear witness to the faith and to the priesthood

Like the Saints before me:Do I believe that “Jesus Christ is Lord?Am I ready to proclaim by witness and word this truth?Am I on fire and enthusiastic to do so?