Extracts from an article by Fr. Ray Lyons published in The Tablet on 16th March, 2024

The author of this “topic” agrees with Tomás Halik (“Out of Darkness” 2nd March) that “the very future of the Church in western society is on the line.”

Extracted:

The society we wish to evangelize has changed. So must we.

We need to project a new persona, a new understanding of humanity, rooted in the unchanging person, Jesus, Son of God.

The earliest Christians were, in effect, a supper club… Everyone was welcomed… Their lives adapted to their growing beliefs. We need to rediscover their radical and blunt storytelling. This will require a massive cultural and linguistic change.

The earliest Christians spoke to the culture and language of their world. We need to rediscover the original Christian message.

That inclusive and compassionate message is as attractive today as it was in the enormously unequal society of the pagan and Roman world.

Are we less able to communicate than they were? No, we are just less confident, less trusting of the Holy Spirit…

Galilee is ahead, not behind.

 

Communications