The first in a series of reflections for catechetical Sunday...

Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word
By Marian Bach, Loyola Press

I have told this story many times and yet I never tire repeating it because at the time of its happening, I was taught a life-long lesson.
At the time, I was the Director of Faith Formation for a four parish, combined Faith Formation Program. We were preparing for the annual Christmas Eve Mass and traditionally a “Joseph” and a “Mary” were chosen to carry the Christ-Child statue to the Christmas crib during the Midnight Mass. Normally, the children would dress up in costume as “Joseph” and as “Mary.” That particular year, however, it was decided that the children would not be in costume. They would simply carry the statue to its proper place, at the proper time.
Weeks before, I repeatedly told the children, so they would not be disappointed, that they would not be dressing up as “Joseph or as Mary.” It was the week before Christmas Eve, and I again, told the children: “Now, remember, you will not be dressing up as Joseph or as Mary. You will just wear your “Sunday best” and carry the “Baby Jesus” to the Christmas Crib.
The “little Mary” to be, in exasperation, looked up to me and said: “It doesn’t matter what Mary wore! What matters is that Mary CARRIED the Baby Jesus!”
This happened many years ago, and yet the little girl’s message still rings loud and clear.
It does not matter “what we wear,” i.e. who we are, what our jobs are, how rich or how poor. The most important thing as we PROCLAIM THE WORD is that we CARRY JESUS to a world that longs for the GOOD NEWS.
May we carry the Christ Child to all those whom we meet today and everyday. By doing so, we will be “Christ bearers and Christ bringers; we will proclaim the WORD OF GOD!


Questions for reflection?
*What lessons about carring Jesus have you learned during your time in ministry?
*How have you been a "Christ-bearer?"
*How do you encourage others to bring Christ to the world?

The longer I've been in ministry, I realize that one of the best ways for me to be a Christ-bearer is to listen to people. Doing so allows people the space and the permission to reflect on their own experience. Hopefully through this people are able to see how Christ is active and present in their lives.

Also, I belive that context is everything. Listening to people helps me better understand what the context is that they are bringing to a catechetical session or event. If I know an RCIA candidate or catechumen has just experienced a difficulty, it's a great opportunity to talk about Paschal Mystery. If parents at a sacramental preparation meeting are upset about something that is going on in school or a sports team, that influences how I go forward with the session.

Pam

Another reflection for Catechetical Sunday

"Catechesis and Proclamation of the Word"
Jean Hopman, Associate Editor

Catechetical ministry is a call to service. God calls, inviting us into deeper relationship. Our response brings us closer to God and sends us out to develop and use our gifts in service to God's people. As those involved in catechesis, our call is clarified in prayer, is sustained through prayer, and invites others to a life of prayer.

The challenge becomes creating balance between our life of prayer and our call to minitry in the fast-paced world we live in. We can't give what we don't have, so being people of prayer is a prerequisite for anyone called to the ministry of catechesis.

Spending time with the Word of God in prayer and study, alone and with others, draws us into the mystery of God's love for us and all of creation. Prayer allows God to make known to us what we, in turn, prclaim in word and action to those we serve. Through prayer we gradually become more and more what we proclaim--the presence of Jesus in the world.


Questions for Relfection
*How do you include prayer in your daily life?
*How do you see prayer as being connected with catechetical minsitry?
*How do you balance prayer and action?

Another reflection...

"Proclamation of the Word"
Tom McGrath

Proclamation of the Word happens best not when we perfect our "delivery" but when we speak from the heart of our experience of the Word transforming our own lives. When we speak from the experience of our own conversion, heart will speak to heart and those who hear will be moved to let the Word of God transform them as well.


Questions for Reflection
*How do you tap into your own experience of conversion as you pass along the faith to others?

Another reflection...

"What We Proclaim"
By Joe Paprocki

The theme "Catechesis and Proclamation of the Word" reminds us that, in catechesis, we are proclaiming a living Person--Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh. To be a catechist is to teach much more than a subject; it is to teach a way of life patterned after Jesus. In fact, it is not so much teaching as it is mentoring: an apprenticeship or initiation into a life of discipleship.

By proclaiming God's Word catechists invite others to become disciples of God's Word by hearing, understanding, and applying the Word of God in their daily lives.

Hearing In order for us to hear God's Word, we need to remove the nosiy distractions sourrounding us. Catechists teach God's people to open their ears to hear the often subtle Word of God being spoken to them.

Understanding God's Word comforts us in times of sorrow and dispair, but it also challenges us when we grow too comfortable in the ways of the world. Catechists help God's people understand how the Word of God brings comfort in difficult times as well as how that same Word offers a challenge to the status quo of our lives.

Applying Because the Word of God is a living Word, it must be put into practice and lived. Catechists teach the People of God to apply God's Word to their everyday lives by practicing mercy, charity, and virtue.

As echoers of the Good News, we are reminded of our collective responsibility as baptized Christians to proclaim God's Word to others in word and deed. Like Mary, it is through our own YES to God's invitation the the Word becomes Flesh and dwells among us. And just as Mary immediately went forth to announce the Good News to her cousin Elizabeth, may we eagerly go forth to proclaim God's Word to those we meet. In doing so, we grow closer to the very Word we are proclaiming--Jesus Christ.