A.
Step
one: Invoke the help of the Holy
Spirit (Rom 5:5: “And this hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured out in our
hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us”).
B.
Step
two: Read aloud the passage
in the language of your choice (translations in English, Cebuano, and Tagalog
will be provided in the e-Word section).
C.
Step
three: pay attention to two
things:
·
What struck me? What feelings and
thoughts did certain words or verses evoke from me? Why? Is there any reality
in my individual and social life that has struck a chord with the passage?
·
What questions do I have regarding the
passage? Any word or phrases I did not understand? Anything that disturbs me?
D.
Step
four: read the Bible-study
session for the week. The session gives an overview of the entire passage and deals, as well, with individual verses. An attempt is made to
avoid technical terms. In reading, do not hesitate to stop and pause at explanations that strike you. Silence can be the indication of deep
prayer.
E.
Step
five: end with a prayer
(praise, thanksgiving, repentance, intercession) as the passage inspires you.
Notes:
·
The suggested method deals with two essential poles in understanding and
living out in today’s world a passage from the Bible.
i.
The first pole is: “What did it mean then?” (Cebuano: ang gipasabot kaniadto;
Tagalog: ang ibig sabihin
ii.
The second pole answers the question: “What does it mean now?” (Cebuano: ang gipasabot karon; Taglog: ang
ibig sabihin ngayon). Scriptures continue to speak to the people of today,
as it did when the letter and books of the Bible were first written down.
·
To make more concrete and effective our
application of the biblical insights in the lives of Filipinos, we shall
include ideas taken from the Catechism
for Filipino Catholics, a truly excellent resource for Catholics, Filipinos
or otherwise.
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