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PERSONAL REFLECTION
By Renato Caballero Jr. (Dondon)
Shifting Paradigms: Mission, Culture & Church
OPEN TO CHANGE...
There is a saying we often hear that the most important thing is CHANGE. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus articulated this truth with his famous statement; you can never step into the same river twice for the river is always changing as it flows to the sea. Christ says the new wine should be poured only into the new wine skins. Mission is also not spared out of this truth. After listening to the module “Paradigm Shift in mission” given by Dr. Emmauel de Guzman I began to reflect over What do we mean by this paradigm shift in mission? Does it mean a change in the content and means of mission? What are the factors that led to this shift in organizing and in understanding of mission?
There are several streams and winds of change causing this paradigm shift in mission. First, is the liberation theology whose starting point is the life situations of oppressed people and their struggle for justice. It has a radical implication in mission. Instead of just baptizing non-Christians, mission brings Christ as Liberator of the total human person and the whole human situation. Justice is preached as a constitutive dimension of the Gospel. Second factor is the eco-humanist attitude. The change is nothing but the attitude of Jesus towards the marginalized in his time. The mission is to bring life to the other for example Jesus cures the sick and lepers. And also it is our duty to safeguard nature in order to grow together in life. The third factor is the movement for Interreligious Dialogue. This brought a radical change of outlook in mission. Whereas before the church held the position that outside the church there is no salvation, now the church acknowledge and exhorts missionaries to discover the saving presence of God in every culture and religion. Dialogue and Inculturation are key words in this paradigm shift in the perspective of mission. Mission as a human endeavor will always be subjected to change. The missionaries must be always open to the signs of times. He or she has to be inclusive, cosmic sensitive and creative. Living one’s mission the missionaries must continue to grow in his/her witness of the breadth and length, the height and depth of Christ’s LOVE.