Always 3 (learning From Our Learners)

Column: ALWAYS for June 22, 2008 Issue of Davao Catholic Herald Learning from our Learners by Erwin Joey Cabilan

Catechesis is generally defined as “education in the Faith”. Its aim is to make the Christian faith mature by way of integrating it into life. In the first year of his pontificate, John Paul II in his Apostolic Exhortation Catechesi Tradendae presents a Christological locus on this pastoral approach (correlation of faith and life) by stressing the aim of catechesis as not merely allowing the faithful to be in touch but to be in communion, in intimacy with Jesus, the Christ. Various attempts have been done in order to test the relevance and the effectiveness of this pastoral approach. In this sense, catechesis goes beyond than a classroom setting. When and where the Church exists, we are called to faithfully announce God’s Reign in words and in deeds, either explicitly or implicitly. Catechesis is one of the most “communicative” ministries of the Church. It is described this way because the ministers (lay, consecrated and ordained) are called to take upon varied forms of communication media and pedagogies in order to allow the learners to encounter the Person of Jesus. In this perspective, it seems that catechesis, from its preparation, implementation and evaluation, is just a concern mainly by the educators in the faith! Somehow, this idea sets the tone that in catechesis, learners acquire knowledge, values and skills from their catechists. In other words, the catechists take the center stage while the learners are considered as passive recipients of the Faith. For some, this catechetical praxis is never a problem. But if we try to make a critique on this practice that we are used to, maybe this question can help us discover and consider other catechetical approaches: If catechesis is a way that allows the Christian faith of every disciple to mature, isn’t it proper, too, to consider our learners as active sharers of the Faith? I am not setting aside the roles and functions of the catechist in the teachinglearning process. For a meaningful and fruitful catechesis, educators in the faith are called to consider the learners as active participants rather than as passive recipients. They are to create an ambience where both the catechist and the learners consider themselves as companions in the journey towards the fullness of Christian life. In this perspective, catechesis is not a downward movement where the catechist “transmits” the Christian Message. In this praxis, catechesis as “sharing the faith” is an interactive process of mutual reciprocity (catechist & learners; learners & learners). Let me share with you some reasons why as catechists we have to learn also from our learners. 1. Our learners are gifts. Gifts are never asked. They are given not because we deserve this gift but because the giver is so generous with his/her love. It’s a free gift! We never asked God and even our Head Catechist/Parish Catechetical Ministry Coordinator as to what type of learners that we want to handle. When entering the classroom/seminar hall, they are who they are; they are what they have. Regardless of their background and history, in God’s eyes, their presence is God’s present for everybody, especially for the catechist. 2. Our learners are created in God’s image and likeness. This description is as old as God Himself! No matter how archaic this phrase maybe, but for us this is rich in meaning. Each learner (created after imago Dei) is capable for God (capax Dei). If God is love, therefore, you and I can love. If God is mercy, therefore, we can be merciful. If God is peace, therefore, we can be peacemakers (never peacekeepers). Most of us are easily get discouraged of being human because of the many crises that beset us. But let’s wake up! Being human is the best that we can be! As we look at the learners, they teach us two things: to see ourselves and to see God! 3. Together with our learners, we are standing in a “holy ground” . Before entering a classroom or a seminar hall or any venues for catechesis, let us be mindful that we, catechists, do not have the monopoly of things that are of God and of the Church. Take note, our learners have encountered God in many ways and in many places. Maybe, there are similarities with our experiences and I am sure each of us has a unique story to tell. This story is not only ours; it is God’s love story with us! It can be comedy, drama, full of thrill and excitement; stories of victory and defeat, of gains and of pains. Behind such stories, God speaks “I am who am”. So, let’s remove our sandals for we are on a “holy ground”.

4. Our learners want to see God. Some see God clearly while others see Him at a glimpse. What is our role? Our role is to help them gradually see that God can be seen only if we know, love and serve Him. Take note, it was John, the Beloved Disciple, who first recognized the Risen Jesus and exclaimed, “It is the Lord!” 5. Our learners desire more for God. Many of our learners are confused. Some of them have fallen from the trap of being deceived and seduced by alternatives that are passing and empty. Thus, their search isn’t over yet until they will find the Given of Meaning who has been patient in searching for us and in waiting for us. Catechists must be sensitive to this type of Basic Human Desire. No matter how they communicate their desires (declarative, interrogative, exclamatory), we should never give up our learners for at the core of their being, there speaks man’s longing: to love and to be loved. What is the Good News? God is love! I think, this article can make us understand that catechesis is not only “education in the faith”. It is essentially a ministry that feeds Jesus’ lambs, tends Jesus’ sheep and feeds Jesus sheep (cf. Jn. 21: 15-17). As we serve the Church and the world, may we find in Christ Jesus, the Good Shepherd, not only the context, the content and the concepts of catechesis but above all, the joy and the fulfillment of being with Him through others. As we learn from others, may we love Jesus.