Weekly Reflections Year B: Dialogue of the Heart

Subtitled, 'Reflections on the Bible as a Divine-Human Dialogue,' David Jackson has produced weekly reflections on the Sunday readings of the lectionary through the year. The reflections are for the current liturgical year, running through until the Feast of Christ the King in November 2021.

These reflections view the Bible as the record, in various forms, of a loving dialogue between God and humanity. A richer, definition of what 'dialogue' can mean has emerged in the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council and its declaration 'Nostra Aetate'. Inter-religious and inter-spiritual dialogue have been embraced by most Christian denominations in response to our increasingly plural and interconnected world. In turn, dialogue has entered the vocabulary and practice of the world's religions.

This broader meaning is enriched if we apply it to a reading of the Bible as a record of a Divine-Human dialogue. It sharpens what Christians understand by 'inspiration' and 'revelation'. It may make an understanding of 'covenant' more accessible. It may provide a valuable insight into what is meant by speaking about creation, about being human, the articles of the Creed and the mission of the Churches today. Above all perhaps, 'dialogue' brings us to view the Trinity as the eternal dialogue-dance of Father, Son and Spirit which humanity and the whole of creation is destined to join. The Bible is our invitation to join in the dance.

Available from Amazon:

www.amazon.co.uk/DIALOGUE-HEART-REFLECTIONS-READINGS-LECTIONARY/dp/B08P26NY4H

David Jackson's summary of 'Fratelli Tutti' is available on the e-news of ACTA Leeds: https://mailchi.mp/7a5fa80f5137/acta-leeds-july-2020-news-3964425

About the author:

David Jackson, born in 1938, a native of Bradford, after working in education, first as a Catholic priest and then as a family man, ending as Coordinator of the Bradford Interfaith Education Centre, became the Inter-religious Relations Coordinator for the Diocese of Leeds in 2000 and retired in 2011. An on-going fascination with the concept of dialogue led to this series of reflections on the readings of the Sunday Lectionary. In his 80s he balances the practice of silent prayer with support for all who work for justice, peace, non-violence and 'care for our common home' - for grandchildren everywhere.