We have Fr. Nguyen Huy Quyen, SVD’s “Doing Contextual Theology: Standing Meditation as an Instrument for Missionary Evangelization in Today’s Vietnam.” In his analysis of what has become a distinctly Vietnamese Lenten popular devotion first introduced by the French Jesuit, Fr. Alexandre de Rhodes, in the 17th century, he highlights the important qualities of “standing meditation” and its great potential in evangelizing the people of Vietnam. Here, what seems initially as a very external or even theatrical activity emerges as a concrete way of internalizing faith and empowering believers to imitate Christ’s self-giving love, as told in this very colorful and compelling narration of his Passion and Death, similar to but distinct from our own Filipino tradition of the Pabasa or Pasyon. Moreover, he underscores the contribution of “standing meditation,” both actual and prospective, in doing the three forms of dialogue enjoined by the FABC: dialogue with people (especially the poor and the marginalized), dialogue with people of other cultures, and dialogue with people of other religions. – from the Editor’s Preface
