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January 28, 2024The word of God reminds us of some fundamental dimensions to carry out the ministry of the catechist best.
First, I would like to highlight how the people receive Jesus and his teachings: he speaks with authority and not like the others.
What does this expression mean? It means that Jesus presents himself to the people in a credible way, and people listen to his words because they feel an authority that deserves trust in him.
Jesus always realizes in himself what he proclaims. In him, there is no division between words and life. In fact, he is the word of God, which becomes flesh and daily life for us. In Jesus, there is no division between theory and practice. Jesus came to bring life, life in abundance.
In a certain sense, catechists must also be able to speak to our children with authority. Not in the sense of severity or force with which things can be imposed on them. Instead, we must talk about the authority of our life. The children must be able to see in you witnesses of the joy of the Gospel. Our kids must see in you a person who believes in what you communicate. You must be involved in what you want to communicate to your kids. Kids won't recognize you as an authority if they see that you don't believe in what you teach them about Jesus, God, and the Church.
Therefore, to be catechists with authority, you must first be true believers and witnesses.
I remind you that being a witness does not mean showing that you are better than others but that you pass on to them, what you have received from Jesus. Being a witness means transmitting the presence of Jesus and his love to others with words and with one's whole life.
The first reading announces that a prophet like Moses would arise among the ancient people of God. We can say that this announcement is fulfilled in Jesus: He is the new Moses. Jesus is the fulfillment of every prophecy.
What does this prophetic dimension say to the ministry of the catechist? Be heralds of a promising future for your children: the prophet always has a double task: first, to warn people when they sin, to remind them of the law of God. But on the other hand, the prophet is always a person of hope who announces the faithfulness of God to his love and mercy. With God, you can always start again.
Dear Catechists, be prophets for the children to support their journey towards goodness by encouraging them to face every difficulty.
Finally, I would like to refer to the words of Saint Paul that we heard. Of course, this is a very particular context, that of the vocation to marriage and consecrated life: the invitation of Saint Paul is to love God with an undivided heart. Indeed, we must always underline the importance of life as a vocation and help our children recognize their vocation and carry out the mission for which God gave them life.
But to do this, I believe that the ideal of the undivided heart is valid for all Christians. We must never have a divided heart. We must love everyone in the love of Christ.
In this sense, I invite you to love your children whom you have for catechism with an undivided heart, that is, love them with a free and generous love. Our kids must see in you people who love them with the love of Christ.
In this way, you too will be like Jesus, people who speak with authority, credible people because you are witnesses of the joy of the Gospel.
May the Mother of God always keep you in the love of Christ.
May Saint Arethas and companions martyrs support you in your daily testimony and ministry as catechists.
