Throughout my many years as both a religious educator and a journalist for Catholic newspapers, I have met myriad people and heard many varying thoughts on innumerable topics – some enlightening, some worrisome, and many that were memorable.
One such thought, which has stayed with me for years, came from a facilitator of a parish Scripture study program who was devoted to helping participants come to love and understand Scripture, and, also, to help them develop the skills needed to become future facilitators in the program.
I asked her why she spent so much time on developing the program and the many participants who gathered around the table each week as disciples to study and share their faith.
She replied, “One day God is going to say, ‘I sent them to you. What did you do with the ones I sent?’”
As a catechist, parish catechetical leader, teacher, ministry facilitator, and, especially, as a parent, the responsibility to lead others to God is a privilege and a challenge.
The idea of being responsible, in some way, for the faith formation of everyone God sends into our lives can also feel daunting. We may often feel like we have to be teachers of the faith in every circumstance, a role in which we may not be comfortable. There is also the reality that those who come to us, as friends, co-workers or even some family members, are not open to our preaching.
How do we accept such an all-encompassing responsibility? By being witnesses to Christ through how we live our lives.
A deep faith in God helps us to live our lives with joy and confidence, even in difficult times. When others notice that we routinely worship and pray, treat others with kindness, practice forgiveness and give generously of all that God has given us, they are drawn to us. Often, they want to know the source of our peace of mind and heart. That is the time to share our faith with enthusiasm.
In his first letters to the Romans, Saint Paul offers encouraging words to the disciples there: “For I long to see you, that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by one another’s faith, yours and mine” (Romans 1:11,12).
While we may never be the powerful evangelizer Saint Paul was, our witness to faith in Jesus can serve as an important foundation for others on the same journey, especially our children.
God will inevitably send others into their lives who will help fill in the gaps.