Learning about Salvation History at CDM Penang

Deacon Lazarus Jonathan conducted a formation on Salvation History in the parish of the Church of the Divine Mercy (CDM) on Aug 11. This was a follow-up formation as the parish has been focusing on the theme of The Word of God this year. Sixty-seven parishioners attended the formation.

Deacon Lazarus started with a reading from Matthew 15:21-28. This Bible verse is about the Canaanite woman asking
Jesus to heal her sick daughter. Even after Jesus refuses her, the woman was persistent in her request to heal her daughter. Throughout the Bible there are stories of how Jesus reacts to different people. The reading teaches us that we must be persistent in prayer.Deacon Lazarus reminded us that as Christians we need to be ready to encounter Jesus in our daily lives. We are also required to share the faith, not just with friends and family, but throughout the whole world.

Deacon Lazarus then addressed the definition of Salvation History.It is the pattern of events in human history where God reveals his presence and saving actions. In Salvation History, the presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is always active and present in the lives of the people from the beginning of time. The Father’s nature is to Create, the Son’s is to

Redeem and the Holy Spirit’s is to sanctify. God’s desire is to Love us. Salvation History reveals God’s love for his people.

In the Old Testament, humanity’s inclination to sin stood in the way of God’s plan. The Israelites continued to turn away from the covenant and the law again and again, even while God continued to send his message through prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Nevertheless, God remained faithful to the covenant when the people did not.

The life of Jesus reveals the New Covenant, which brings us to the fullness of salvation. The transmission of Divine Revelation, commanded and entrusted to the Apostles, is communicated through Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture.

The bishops, in communion with the Pope, form the Magisterium of the Church, and use these pillars to interpret and teach the faith.

Deacon Lazarus then reviewed the Book of Genesis, which is “the book of Generation of Heaven and Earth” in Greek. He brought about a deeper understanding and coverage of creation, sin, marriage and the generations that followed. The discussions surrounding the lives of Cain and Noah, the Ark and the flood, were also compared to the events and persons of Jesus and Mary. Many examples of real life situations were cross-referenced to the bible stories to allow a deeper understanding of the events.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online