Word Working at
work; participants offer praise for Lenten program
During the last several weeks, families, friends and
neighbors from across the diocese have been gathering together – sitting
around kitchen tables, assembling in their living room – to take part in
“Word Working,” a style of scriptural reflection and prayer.
Bishop
Ronald Gilmore refers to Lenten Word Working as “a distinctive way of
engaging God’s Word so we can be shaped by the Word for God’s work
within and beyond our Church.”
Special
color sections found “wrapped” around the last four issues of the SKR
have included the Sunday Scripture, as well as instructions and guidelines for
the simple but profound prayer and reflection.
Dozens
of families, friends and neighbors have experienced Word Working as a way of
becoming absorbed in the Word of God.
Following are just a few of the many comments that have
been received by Bishop Gilmore since the program began. For more information,
go to www.dcdiocese.org, and click on the Word Working link:
“We
as a family decided to do our Word Working at home. This was such a good
experience. This is the first time that we sat and listened to the scriptures
at home as a family. … This was a very spiritual time for our family. We
hope other families can share this experience.”
• • •
“I’m
very grateful to be a part of this Lenten experience. It makes me more aware of
the many temptations in daily life, and determination to resist them as Jesus
did. Sharing thoughts with others gives me more insight into my own
spirit.”
• • •
“We noted how Jesus confronted the devil’s
temptations with words … how important scripture was to Him and how it
should be that important to us
• • •
“We
all went home prayerfully with a lot to think and pray about.”
• • •
“…Using
Scripture and the Sacrament of Reconciliation were two of the best means for
responding to evil.”
• • •
“The
‘Word’ is working!”
• • •
“The
format was easy to follow and the group responded well.”
• • •
“Thank
you for calling us to this reflection.”
• • •
“The
participants were able to relate how they met evil and came through it stronger
and more faith filled.”
• • •
“Lent
calls us to conversion, which is about allowing God’s Word to change our
mind, heart, and ways.”
• • •
“Now
we have a choice to truly embrace and listen to Him and receive a beautiful
inner peace that the world cannot give.”
• • •
“We
felt that gathering and reflecting on the Word prepares so well for Sunday when
we hear the Word proclaimed at
• • •
“The enthusiasm of people in the meeting made of
this a good time to share the word of our Lord. We follow the instructions and
everybody listened respectfully to each other.”
• • •
“[The]
Holy Spirit was actively guiding our reading and sharing of the Gospel reading.
… We should all use this Lenten season to transform ourselves to live as
Christ has called us to.”