By Zoe Cannon
Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophesy, in proportion to one’s faith, if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:6-10).
Learning is an essential part of life. Educators deal with the whole human person in thought and in action. In the mission of teaching, every subject matter provides an opportunity to form future leaders in mind, body and spirit. I always tell people to be the person you needed as a child. Not just to a child, but to everyone you meet, young or old. Teachers may have a summer break, but the mindset and responsibility of a teacher is a year-round commitment. I love teaching, whether it is homeschooling grandchildren or facilitating an adult formation class; I am always reading and preparing for the next lesson.
We are all teachers is some way, those around us are observing, and our actions do have consequences — good and sometimes not so good. What are people learning from you? A teacher in all levels of education, a priest in a large or small parish, the coach of every athlete, the manager of a large corporation or a small farm operation; no matter how involved you are in guiding or mentoring others, to be effective, you must understand your own need for God.
The most influential teacher in a child’s life is the parents, and the home is the place where the process of learning begins. I have great concern for this generation of young people; they are lacking role models and public figures who live their faith, seek wisdom or provide examples of good leadership.
I have been a catechist for many years; teaching both children and adults. I have come to realize that in challenging students to learn, we sometimes fail to help them understand the true meaning of wisdom. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Wisdom is a divine gift from God, and the ultimate form of wisdom is always concerned with the eternal. Jesus made this message very clear. He was praying to his Father in heaven and said, “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Eternal life is a personal, intimate knowledge of God.
Helping a child understand what it means to “live in the world but NOT of the world” is a great undertaking. Sharing God’s wisdom — his way of seeing reality — this is a good place to start. As we begin to prepare for a new school year be intentional about praying for wisdom. Ask the greatest teacher, Jesus Christ — the way the truth and the life to be your guide! Amen!