All of us have experienced the natural instinct of physical thirst. Physical thirst can, therefore, be an effective starting point for a fruitful catechetical meditation on our desire for God and the fundamental disposition of the soul needed to seek him. Throughout salvation history, we see numerous examples of thirst. After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, they became so thirsty in the desert that they grumbled against their liberator (Ex 17:3). Samson also cried out to the Lord in his thirst (Jdg 15:8). In both of these circumstances, God himself satisfies them. The Psalmist recognized this as he... Read more
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Articles Under: Scriptural Catechesis
In this issue's "Inspired through Art" department, Jem Sullivan introduces a method of teaching with art that follows the contours of the ancient practice of lectio divina . In addition to offering a sy nopsis of this promising approach, she then shows how to use it to reflect upon a masterpiece from the Italian Renaissance. To view this artwork on a smart board click here. We live in a visual culture. From our waking moments to the day’s end, our senses are accessing the natural world and the visual culture that surrounds us. As catechists, we know this visual culture... Read more
How can we make Sacred Scripture come alive for the children we teach? Is simply reading the verse or parable to the students enough? St. Jerome wrote, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” [i] How can we help our students not to be ignorant of Sacred Scripture and instead come to appreciate and be immersed in it? Scripture may be used in prayer, as a means of meditation or guided imagery with younger students. Begin with a short, familiar parable or Scripture reading. In our example we will be using the passage in which Jesus blesses the children, Matthew... Read more
To view the artwork on a smart board or with other computer projection apparatus click here. Repentance at the font of God’s mercy is at the heart of Christian discipleship. Yet how is an artist to depict the interior movement of a repentant heart that returns to God, who is rich in mercy? The parable of the prodigal son, recounted in Luke 15:11-32, offers a radical image of reconciliation between a repentant son and his merciful father. It evokes the interior journey of repentance in each one of us as we stand in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Countless... Read more
For sure, every catechist would agree that Sacred Scripture is an important, perhaps even essential, part of catechesis. But to say that Scripture should be its heart …that might be taking things a bit far. Most textbooks include Scripture, but often as a support to the doctrinal content. I want to go farther than that. In this article, I want to show you three reasons why Scripture should drive your doctrinal content and become the foundation of your teaching. 1. God is the Author Scripture is important because God is the author. Through Scripture God communicates with us. “In the... Read more
The imagery involving sons and fathers in Sacred Scripture can prompt unexpected responses: “Some of the language is not inclusive,” comments one person reviewing a new catechetical resource. “Speaking of us as 'adopted sons' excludes those who aren't male!” [i] “I really couldn’t stomach the first reading of our service today,” a non-Catholic friend confides over Sunday lunch. “It was such an unpleasant story, about Abraham being prepared to sacrifice his son when asked to by God. [ii] How could any father do that?” ·“I’m worried I just can’t grasp this idea of God as like the father who routinely... Read more
Evangelizers t hus take on the “smell of the sheep” and the sheep are willing to hear their voice. ( Evangelii Guadium, 24) Today when we hear the words disciple or discipleship these words have a specific religious connotation. We would normally not describe an apprentice plumber or student teacher as a disciple. In the world of the New Testament these words had a much wider usage. Among the ancient Greek philosophers, disciples learned by imitating the teacher’s entire way of life and not just by remembering the spoken words of the teacher. This is completely different from our modern... Read more
Fr. Paul Watson explains the significance to the Sabbath as portrayed in this miracle. He went again into a synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath day, hoping for something to use against him. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up out in the middle!’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it against the law on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?’ But they said nothing... Read more
French catechist and theologian, Waltraud Linnig, offers us three doors into reading and teaching the Bible and three keys for opening these doors. Part 1 follows. In this article I would like to propose ways of opening the Bible and entering into it. Perhaps you will ask me why I want to do this, because it is so easy to open this book! It’s like all the other books and if you know the language of a book you can read it. This Bible is written in English, so there’s no problem. However… For many Catholics, the sacred book is... Read more
Jason Gale explains how the Credo ultimately contains only a single dogma, whose mystery can and must be spread out in many aspects. There is a direct relationship between the person of Christ and the one Deposit of Faith. In catechesis, we say that we teach Christ, but we also say that we teach the Catholic Faith. The Creed, Sacraments, morality, and prayer not only describe what is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church , but also summarize for us God and his plan for salvation. This plan is fully revealed and receives its power in Jesus Christ... Read more