Gift of “communion”

The “Instrumentum laboris” for the 12th ordinary general Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (5 – 26 October 2008) was presented in the Vatican on 12 June. The Synod will have as its theme: “The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church”. The document – presenting the agenda of the upcoming assembly – was presented to the press by the Synod’s general secretary, Monsignor Nikola Eterovic, and its under-secretary, Monsignor Fortunato Frezza. It consists of 80 pages, divided into a foreword, eight chapters and the conclusions. We have decided to focus our attention on the eighth chapter dedicated to the “Word of God, grace of communion”. The Bible is presented in this chapter as “point of encounter” between Christians of the various confessions, as bridge of dialogue with Jews and Muslims and “treasure for all humanity”, even “for those who don’t believe in Christ”. Word of God, ecumenical bond. “The full and visible unity of all the disciples of Christ” is a question of “primary importance” inasmuch as it “impacts on the witness to the Gospel” in the world. “Two realities unite Christians – points out the “Instrumentum laboris” -: the Word of God and Baptism. Only by accepting these gifts can the ecumenical process reach its fulfilment”. The Synod’s working document assesses the present status of the Word of God: “in general, we may note with satisfaction that the Bible is now the major point of encounter for prayer and dialogue between the Churches and ecclesial communities. There is growing awareness that the faith that unites us and the different emphases in the interpretation of the Word itself are an invitation to rediscover together the motivations that have created divisions. The conviction remains, however, that the progress made in ecumenical dialogue with the Word of God can produce other beneficial effects”. The decade-long experience of the ecumenical translation of the Bible and the collaboration between the various Christian biblical associations are “valid” and positive”. Dialogue with Jews. The synodal text invites the Church to look with “peculiar attention” to relations with the Jewish people. “Christians and Jews are both children of Abraham, rooted in the same covenant” that “God, faithful to his promises”, has never revoked, “This close, biblically-founded relation gives an unique character to dialogue between Christians and Jews”. “Two aspects in particular should be borne in mind. Firstly, – says the document – the Jewish understanding of the Bible may be of help to Christians in their understanding and study of it. In some cases, ways to study Sacred Scripture together [with Jews] have been developed – and can be further developed – providing occasions to learn from each other, while closely respecting each other’s differences. Secondly, efforts need to be made to eliminate every form of anti-Semitism”. The document recalls that Vatican Council II had emphasized that Jews should not be presented “as rejected or accursed by God”. “On the contrary, because of [our common descent from] Abraham, we can and must become a source of blessing for each other and for the world”. Dialogue with Muslims. “As Christians and Jews – continues the document – Muslims also look to Abraham, seeking to imitate him in his submission to God whom they worship, above all, with prayer, alms and fasting. Although they do not recognize Jesus as God, they venerate him as a prophet and honour Mary his virgin mother. They await the day of judgement and value the moral life”. The synodal document then dedicates a paragraph to interfaith dialogue, and declares: “The dialogue of Christians with Muslims and members of other religions is an urgent need; it permits mutual understanding and occasions for working together in promoting religious, ethical or moral values, thereby contributing to the building of a better world”. The document however warns of the risks of syncretism: “when considering the Bible in relation to the sacred texts of other religions, due care is required so as not to fall prey to syncretism, superficial approaches or a distortion of the truth, because of various conceptions about the inspiration of such sacred texts”. Ferment of culture. “The Bible – continues chapter 8 – is not exclusively for Christians; it is a treasure for all humanity” and “can become the source of inspiration for those who do not believe in Christ”. “Through the centuries the book of the Bible has entered cultures, so much so as to inspire various fields of knowledge, including philosophy, pedagogy, science, art and literature. Biblical thought can so penetrate [culture] as to become the summary and soul of culture itself”.