Dialogue and Listening Reflection on Ratio Missionis May 2013

Ratio Missionis: Dialogue and Listening Introduction All this 2 nd part of the Ratio Missionis is a re- reading of the material that came out from the reflection of the confreres during the process of RM. Nothing is invented or included which is not reflecting exactly in its meaning what the confreres have shared. It is only another way of “grouping” and give “themes” to the expression of the confreres.

Ratio Missionis: Dialogue and Listening I. Dialogue /Listening (p.51-52) 1.1 Fundamental Attitude - Dialogue in: community, religious/cultures, Christian Churches, exercise of authority, reality, as a pastoral method. - not a mere technic but THE FUNDAMENTAL ATTITUDE OF THE CHURCH TO RELATE WITH THE WORLD. - necessary in all spheres of life: religion, politics, society, institutions.

Ratio Missionis: Dialogue and Listening I. Dialogue /Listening (p.51-52) 1.1 Fundamental Attitude - Reasons for Dialogue: -a) Theological: GOD-PERSON-GOD (GS 19) -b) Christological: “seeds of the Word”/values of KoG present in every cultural/historical circumstance -Dialogue implies LISTENING (respect, sincerity, humility) -Listening -> Discernment: see signs of truth and of the Truth in the other (person, culture, social act)

Ratio Missionis: Dialogue and Listening I. Dialogue /Listening (p.51-52) 1.1 Fundamental Attitude “We do not have all the answers and […] we are ready to live within the framework of penultimate knowledge, […] we regard our involvement in dialogue and mission as an adventure, are prepared to take risks and […] anticipating surprises, as the Spirit guides us into fuller understanding. This is not opting for agnosticism, but humility. It is, however, a bold humility – or with humble boldness” – David Bosch – Transforming Mission, p. 489.

Ratio Missionis: Dialogue and Listening I. Dialogue /Listening (p.51-52) 1.2 Challenges of Dialogue - It is not to opt for skepticism or relativism - to witness to one’s own convictions, listening, at the same time, to the deepest motivations of the other - No one possesses exclusively the truth! - Only through this interaction with others we can discover new aspects of Truth and their nuances and manifestations

Ratio Missionis: Dialogue and Listening I. Dialogue /Listening (p.51-52) 1.2 Challenges of Dialogue - 3 risks in all our realities can hinder positive results of dialogue in our Communities, relationship with Local Church and the world: a) authoritarianism: think one possesses the Truth and impose it on others b) prejudices that limit true listening and discernment c) pre-conceived and ideological way of reading reality – producing a ‘predetermined’ interpretation of reality, but in fact, distorts it.

Ratio Missionis: Dialogue and Listening I. Dialogue /Listening (p.51-52) 1.2 Challenges of Dialogue - Inter-religious dialogue is the greatest challenge for the missionary presence over the coming years – in many societies, religion is becoming the catalyst for the deepest aspirations of the people and the driving force for socio-political and even economical change.

Ratio Missionis: Dialogue and Listening Questionnaire for personal reflections and group sharing: - Do we feel that we can say that dialogue/listening are the fundamental attitudes in our relationships with others (pastoral agents, Local Church, other religions/Churches, …)? - What are some of the negative experiences of the lack of dialogue and some of the positive experiences? What are the underlying reasons for a lack of sincere dialogue/listening? - What are the ‘seeds of the Word’ or values of the Kingdom present in the reality in which we live? What hinders the search for those ‘seeds of the Word’ in our Mission? - How is the level of inter-religious dialogue in our plans and activities?