One of the gifts catechists can share with those they guide is a sense of spiritual presence. However, for them to be able to do this they must—as in the calling of the Gospel— be countercultural. In doing this, the gift given to those guided turns out to be a gift to themselves as well.
For instance, as those called to guide others in faith, catechists are not called to be successful but to be faithful. This means there is a need to focus on being the best they can be professionally and personally but has nothing to do with achieving a certain goal—even if it be a good one.
Moreover, if they are able to have such a sense of presence as an outgrowth of their prayer life, then they will find themselves getting less discouraged when the outcomes are not as they hoped. Catechists will then realize in their hearts that all they must do is only what they can do and let God and God’s Grace take care of the residue. That is the beauty of the ministry of being a catechist. Isn’t that wonderful and doesn’t it make the calling to be a catechist so rewarding?
Robert J. Wicks
Author, Prayerfulness: Experiencing the Fullness of Life (Sorin Books/Ave Maria Press)
Professor, Loyola University Maryland
Comments