 |
| New Year Teaching Religious Education |
My
mind focused on the difficulty I had last year getting my footing as a new
teacher. I experienced a roller coaster
of emotions from week to week while dealing with the struggles of discipline, learning
how to present the material, and finding myself inspired by the students’
demonstrations of faith.
Perhaps I stress a little too much over teaching one hour each week,
but I feel the weight and responsibility of teaching and representing the
faith.
As I set up for my first class of the new year I took a few minutes to
quiet myself and pray, asking God for strength, courage, guidance and blessings
to fulfill His will in the classroom. Then I called upon the Holy Spirit to
work through me to bring the children closer to God.
By remembering to put God first, I felt calmed. The children and
I had fun in our lesson, learned about God and each other, and the hour flew
by. Late in the week, two mothers with children in my class mentioned how much
their sons enjoyed the class, which helped me feel reassured and renewed.
Parents have the primary responsibility and vocation for teaching and
living the faith by example, yet it is an important responsibility to work as a
catechist teaching religious education. Teaching children brings a profound impact on our own lives and personal
relationships with God. Through instructing and witnessing the faith to
them, we are reminded of God’s awesome love and the power of faith.
Witnessing God through the eyes of children sharpens the focus on my own faith
journey. We must learn to love and trust Him simply, as a child.
God’s loving embrace reaches us all on our own path towards the cross.
 |
| Lisa Jones |
