By Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Months after Pope Francis instituted “Sunday of the Word of God” to be annually celebrated on the third Sunday of ordinary time in the Catholic Church, Livingstone Diocese has launched the new pastoral initiative after the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) declared that the theme be reflected through the year 2020 to help Christians “grow in religious and intimate familiarity with the Sacred Scriptures so as to venerate, celebrate, study, disseminate and live the Word of God.”
Convened under the diocesan theme “Year of the Word of God: Read, Share, Celebrate and Live it,” the local ordinary of Livingstone Rt. Rev. Valentine Kalumba, encouraged the Christians to change their mindset with regard to use of Sacred Scripture saying “We need to make a decision about the Word of God preached to us, make a decision (and) let not the Word of God come and it just passes through.”
The prelate who is a member of the Congregation of Oblates of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I), enthroned the Bible during the launch giving emphasis that Scriptures should imbue “every sphere of human life.”
He further encouraged the clerics who minister the word of God to Christians in the Diocese, to be more involved in this pastoral priority saying, “Maybe we don’t preach well. Preach the Word of God well; prepare the Word of God (knowing) the people of God have the right to listen to a good homily. Let’s not be boring preachers; be on fire.”
Reminding the faithful that the Word of God should also influence one’s political life, Bishop Kalumba called for unity in the Catholic Church irrespective of different political interests saying, “We want you to be united: politics has been there, the Church has been there. Leave politics aside for in the Church we are all one family of Christians.”
Earlier when the ZCCB declared the Year of the Word of God, the Church leaders highlighted the pastoral activities to be undertaken through 2020 to fulfil this mission which include the promotion of the Sunday for the Word of God as declared by Pope Francis (January 26) and the Bible Sunday celebration of September 27 characterized by Bible procession and Enthronement which will be preceded by Bible workshops on some aspects of the Bible.”
The dioceses are encouraged to have “on-going formation on the Ministry of the Word for pastoral agents in diocesan Catechetical, Biblical, and Liturgical Commissions and those involved in Communications media (radio) and apostolate of education.” Besides, there should be continuous “Radio and television programs on the Word of God through the year 2020 and beyond.”
The Church in Zambia intends to “make available Bibles for sale but at reduced price,” prepare “Bible quiz for different groups,” and at the same time organize for “singing festivals on hymns (which are) biblically based.”
The ZCCB has also encouraged “Pastoral use of the Bible; reading, studying, praying and sharing.” Christians are expected to recite “Rosary with biblically based reflections,” and also to have “daily reflection on liturgical readings at personal level.”
All parishes within Livingstone Diocese are expected to launch the Year of the Word of God this coming Sunday, January 26.