In Faith Sharing, Do You Recycle?

In Faith Sharing, Do You Recycle?

   Over the years I’ve had a chance to be a Catechist in many settings – Liturgy of The Word for Children, catechesis classes, Retreats, community building gatherings, youth nights and parent meetings to name a few.  There are many great messages that God has shared with me in Bible passages, reflections, other people’s stories, some stories I’ve written, poems, prayers, things I’ve witnessed, and on and on.  These kinds of things help make great sharings with children, youth and adults.  I’m sure you have great faith sharing moments in your catechesis experiences.  But do you recycle?

   I know I do.  I use my stories over and over, as well as using other people’s stories also.  I’ve found that stories help me see the presence and message of God in some very simple ways.  And Jesus used that too, in the parables He told.  He related the messages of God using some everyday items that people used continuously and continually – water, wheat, coins, grapes, sheep, seeds, and light.  I’m sure you could keep the list going.

   What are some of the everyday visual aids that I’ve used to help make a connection in our faith – A handshake, an egg, walnuts/rice, pictures on a computer/phone, and this list goes on and on too.  Even as I use stories over and over, sometimes those who hear them recognize them quickly, but it continues to solidify the message of our faith.  As I hear the Word of God, even the familiar stories bring out new messages, and I think, “Why haven’t I heard that before?”  That’s because the answer comes through in God’s time and in God’s way.  I am at a different place and time in my life when I hear it; my present circumstances help me hear the varied messages.

   I sometimes get discouraged as a Catechist, but then think I have to remember, “We aren’t called to be successful in our catechesis, only to be faithful in the presentation of what we share.”  God plants it into them, sometimes through us.  God will nourish seeds planted and help them bloom in the time that is not necessarily for us to witness.  We feed the already planted seeds with faith-food that is rich in recycled nutrients.  And remember, that in feeding their faith, ours gets fed too!

The Practice of My Faith

   We all reach a point in our lives when we make choices about our faith journey.  We decide for ourselves if and how we will continue to be a follower of Jesus.  At that point in our lives it is no longer our parents who make the decision about going to Church and our on-going faith formation.  Your experience of Church from that point on will be part of what you choose.  Will you be a disciple who accepts the invitation and challenge to walk with our Lord?

   That point may be a conversion for some, or for others a continuation of what had been there all along.  In either case there may not be any miracles happening, with life suddenly becoming simple and easier.  Jesus never promised a painless journey.  But there can be many blessings when we keep God in our lives.

   Our faith journey can be like a team preparing for a competition.  We practice the plays (learning about our faith, loving one another, service, etc.), learn some strategies to continue living faithful lives, develop the skills to share our faith and build each other up with strength and encouragement to be ready to face the challenges ahead.

   We gather together at Mass to learn God’s message, praise and glorify God and celebrate as Jesus showed us.  We should not come together at these times to merely be present at the celebration.  Rather we must join one another in communion.  We are the Church, the Body of Christ everyday, by living the example that Jesus gave us.

   One of the most important things that Jesus taught us is to have a support system.  We help each other stay strong in our faith.  There will always be attacks on our faith and the rough spots will be nearly impossible to get through if we try to do it alone.  Our faith is not lived in isolation.  We are an inter-dependent people who rely on each other in so many ways.

   The practice of our faith is all about building up our team, the family of God.  Our connection with God cannot be strong if our connection with each other is suffering.  In our kind, caring, merciful and loving actions, the kingdom of God is also strengthened.  So practice, practice, practice!

My father to my Father -- stepping stone not stumbling block

(June 1999)

   When I get home from work my 4 year old son, usually runs out to meet me, then wants to play, play, play.  I love that he wants me to spend time with him.

   I remember looking forward to spending together with my dad and playing games together.  Time is such an important commodity for dads (and moms) and our kids.  What is also incredibly vital is the examples we set, the morals we teach and the yearning for God we show.

   My dad showed my brothers and me that a relationship with God is very important and we needed to help it grow by going to Mass, praying, treating each other with kindness, and caring for each other's needs.

   I (and my wife) teach our son (now both sons) about the importance of a relationship with God.  What we've seen is that he wants to participate at Mass, he enthusiastically prays, and he's excited about helping with CCD classes.  His is the child-like faith which Jesus challenges us to emmulate.

   To see that joyful shine is an inspiration to my faith.  Over the years of helping with St. Michael's Youth Ministry and Our Mother of Confidence ministries, I have seen many of the youth have incredible wonder and awe for our faith.  Many also have a wonderful spirituality that my wonder and awe gets increased.

   You parents are a great blessing in your child's life to be the link to God.  I have talked with many others about how much easier it is to be a Catechist for a student whose parents support the message.

   I am realizing how we are part of each other's faith journey, so we also support each other in our quest for the kingdom of God.  One of the most important things that Jesus did on Earth was to show the importance of a support system.  That first building block was a family, and later extablished the community of Church which is a faith family of families.

   Each parent has a special role in the family.  So we dads have a great responsibility to be the stepping stones; feed their faith, develop their spirituality, and be the examples of faith, hope and love.  God wants the chain to continue, but to do that we are relied on to be the links.

 

Dads, Grandfathers, Godfathers and your Kids --  Have a blessed and happy Fathers Day (June 19th) !

 

Broken, But Still Has Value

Broken, But Still Has Value

   Many times we look at failed accomplishments or some form of brokenness (pain inflicted, physical damage caused, etc.) and take it personally, thinking that we are devalued.

   On the Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend this year (2011) my older son’s scout troop went to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery to place American flags at the gravestones.  We were among the hundreds (from many troops and packs) that came for this service opportunity to honor so many who had given their lives in military service.

   My younger son and I set about placing flags as others from our troop scattered to accomplish the same task.  As we moved along I noticed some trash on the ground.  I picked it up and went to a trash can to throw it away.

   Inside the trash can I noticed one of the American flags.  I took it out and saw the wooden dowel was broken.  Since the dowel was broken, had the flag lost its value in someone’s mind?  Was it not able to serve its function?  It had not, and it was fully capable of honoring the sacrifice of our valiant brother or sister.  Even though seemingly diminished, the core part of it was intact; it also left me with a valuable message.

   When I start to think of myself as broken or devalued, I need to re-focus and realize that I am still a child of God and I am part of God’s family.  That kind of thinking helps restore my self-esteem that I am valued and have gifts and blessings to share.

   Another thing God has revealed to me is that we connect better with each other through our brokenness than through our wholeness.  When we share our struggles and our failures others realize they’re not alone in what they face.  A bond is established or strengthened because of what we perceived as a negative.

   God uses all of our experiences (positive or negative) that we share to help connect others.  We help each other build up our relationship with God and our family of faith.  We are support and encouragement for each other in our faith journey.

   Rely on your support group, and be an encourager for others.  We are important, significant and have great value to God. 

 

Now with my brain injury (2 strokes in 2020 -- November & December) I may be broken and damaged, but I’m not devalued.  I'm still a "Child of God"