Deborah van Kroonenburg shares a reflection on the role of the catechist in advance of the upcoming Jubilee in September:
Introduction
All baptised Christians, are involved in catechesis in some way. We know that bishops, priests, deacons and consecrated people have a particular responsibility but I reflect here from the perspective of a lay Christian, who may be called, for example, as parent or parish catechist to this role. I look at the roots of the word ‘catechist,’ at the call to bring people into intimacy with Jesus Christ and at how this is done through the catechist’s own union with the Lord.
An Echo
The word, ‘catechesis’ is derived from the Greek, meaning instruction by word of mouth, and it is related to the idea of an echo. If I am to be an echo, re-sounding words into the ears of others, then whose were the original words? Who is the Word I echo?
Here is my key to the role. I am not just to transmit a teaching, I am also called to echo The Word. We know that the Word was God and was with God from the beginning.1 We know that ‘the Word
Bringing others into union with Jesus Christ
So deeply does this Word enter us, that John Paul II states that catechesis puts people ‘not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity.’4 So, the catechist’s role involves not
How can this be done? The context
The catechist does not act alone but as an expression of the Christian community in which those being catechised make their journey. Every member of the community is involved in some way, guided by the Holy Spirit, as St Paul tells us,
‘… When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.’5
How can this be done? The catechist
What can the catechist do to lead others into such intimacy with Christ?
A passage from the Gospel of John illustrates what is necessary. Jesus appears to His disciples after the resurrection and speaks to (Simon) Peter, giving him an opportunity to be restored to intimacy after his denial and also giving him his mission.
‘When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.’ 6
The mission is given to Peter as he reiterates his love for Jesus. Three times he fervently states ‘you know that I love you,’ and is given three directives to feed and tend the sheep and lambs, that is the people of God.7
For You I long
Jesus brings together Peter’s fervent love and his mission. In this way we can see that we bring others into intimacy with Jesus Christ out of our own loving intimacy with Him. If we listen to His voice asking us ever more urgently, to return His love, if we allow His Holy Spirit to draw us into the love of Father, Son and Spirit, we will witness to Him and bring others into communion with Him. Let us increase our love for the One who loved us first:
‘Oh God you are my God,
for You I long;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on You in the sanctuary
To see Your strength and glory (Ps 62)