Renewing the Kerygmatic Moment: The Centrality of the Kerygma in the 2020 Directory for Catechesis and the Implications for Forming Clergy and Parish Staffs

Abstract

Renewing the Kerygmatic Moment:The Centrality of the Kerygma in the 2020 Directory for Catechesis and the Implications for Forming Clergy and Parish Staffs Eric J. Westby (bio) Asignificant theme within the 2020 Directory for Catechesis (DC) is the kerygma, which Pope Francis defined as the initial proclamation of the Gospel.1 In the directory, the emphasis on the kerygma is so pronounced that it raises very important pastoral questions: To what degree might the 2020 DC be advocating for a new model of parish faith formation? If so, what exactly is that paradigm and how should parish staffs be formed for it? To address these questions, this essay will examine the kerygma in light of its Scriptural foundations and its use in the DC, discussing not only the major characteristics of its content but also its pastoral priority. In addition to the DC, the primary sources for this reflection will be the ecclesial writings on evangelization and catechesis from Vatican II through 2020. This will lead to a reflection on the implications for the formation of parish staffs. Scriptual Foundations of the Kerygma The kerygma is the initial saving proclamation of Jesus Christ. A form of the word 'kerygma' is present in Mark's Gospel,2 referring to a [End Page 135] public proclamation,3 and with this announcement comes the invitation to follow Jesus. Jesus models these two elements of content and invitation at the outset of His public ministry. The core message of this preaching is the Gospel of God (Mark 1:1, 14-15), the good news.4 In Mark 1:14, Jesus imparts the kerygmatic message by 'preaching' (from the Greek 'kērussō', a form of the word ''kerygma'), 5 Himself being the herald of His saving message: "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching (emphasis added) the gospel of God. . . ."6 In Mark 1:15, Jesus' first kerygmatic proclamation is one of good news that invites the listener to the response of repentance: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."7 Thus the message is not simply a theoretical principle, but it invites the listener to personally respond through repentance, 'mĕtanŏĕō', re-aligning one's being to the content of the message.8 In St. Peter's kerygmatic address of Acts 2, there also is both a content of the message and a response on the part of the listener. On the day of Pentecost, St. Peter gives the prototypical post-Resurrection proclamation, in which he summarizes the Lord's saving work in the Paschal Mystery and calls the listener to repentance, baptism and deeper catechetical formation (Acts 2:14-42). This proclamation brings the person to initial faith, in which the individual responds to the promptings of the Spirit to follow Jesus,9 be baptized and live according to His will. [End Page 136] The Definition of the Kerygma According to the Directory for Catechesis Reflecting the contributions of Pope Francis' 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, the 2020 DC describes the kerygma as the fundamental message of the Christian faith. The kerygma is the first proclamation of Jesus, His saving plan for us that culminates in His passion, death and resurrection.10 The kerygma also contains the offer to heal us of sin and lead us to everlasting life. Pope Francis summarizes the saving kerygma as a simple, joyful recalling of Jesus' love: "Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you."11 In the DC, the personal response to the kerygma is all-encompassing: No element of one's life is exempt from this call to conversion, and if one lives this message, every aspect of one's being takes on new purpose and meaning in Christ. The DC makes this connection between the content and daily living, in that ". . . the kerygma . . . always has a value of salvation and fullness of life."12 The kerygma is a challenging message that can cause the listener to have to make difficult life decisions, as seen in the DC: . . . the proclamation of...