Preaching as A Prophetic Symbolic Action A Case Study of Luke 4, 14-22. In View of Healing of The Sena People of Mozambique.
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Date
2004
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
When I look back into the years of my initial formation, I see that one of my
greatest concerns was to know how to communicate better as well as always looking
forward for ways of transmitting the good news to others. I always appreciate good
preachers who, so easily and naturally, know how to capture the attention of the
assembly. On the contrary, oftentimes I have discovered that the lives of the faithful are
not transformed by good sermons but the way preachers live their faith.
In Luke 24, 18-19 the disciples of Emmaus said that Jesus had "shown himself
as a prophet powerful in action and in speech before God and the people. Jesus taught
the people in deed and speech. It is obvious that the followers of Jesus have to act in the
same line as Jesus (master) did. We cannot be preachers who are convincing unless we
are able to let the spirit of God work wonders through us, especially in deed and words.
We have to ask ourselves the means we have to take upon us in order to preach
the word of God in a more convincing way.
• How can the preacher become powerful in speech?
• How can the preacher become powerful in deeds?
Thus, this long essay tries to investigate and provide an answer insofar as possible to
these questions. While this long essay is a scientific research in fulfilment of the requirements of Tangaza College, it is not a mere scientific study or reflection inspired
by academic curiosity, but it is intended to prepare me for my pastoral endeavour. It
investigates preaching by taking into consideration Luke 4, 14-22 and other texts
relating to how Jesus was a powerful prophet in words and actions.
To achieve the purpose of this essay the paper has been divided into three
chapters, which are as follows.
Chapter one looks at the general definitions of who is a preacher and a prophet.
It also deals with the means of communication in order to convey a message. The
episode of Jesus in the synaeogue of Nazareth as narrated in the gospel of Luke in
which Jesus presented his mission. This is what inspired me to write this paper.
Chapter two focuses on the text itself. Particular attention was given to some
verses in order to come up with the message regarding the purpose of Jesus coming as a
Messiah.
Chapter three is more pastorally orientated. It tries to answer the question: how
to heal the Sena people (Mozambique) in the context of preaching to them the gospel?
A proposal is given as far as method is concerned to go about the mission in that
particular Mozambican region.
The conclusion gives a summary of the whole Essay and appeal to the preachers
to reconsider their method of preaching while putting more emphasis on the importance
of the sacramental homilies that can be the means of touching the souls of many
Christians in their longing to see the hand of God working in their lives.
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Keywords
Preaching, Prophetic Symbolic, Luke 4, 14-22., View of Healing, The Sena People