Passing it on, as One Chosen and Called

It's been 12 years since my Confirmation, and since 12 is divisible by 3, that means we've cycled back to the same set of readings that were proclaimed at the Mass of my Confirmation.  They include God's words about using Cyrus for His purposes in Isaiah 45 and Psalm 96 that acclaims God's majesty.  The 2nd reading is a very fitting passage about God's work in the Thessalonians from 1 Thessalonians 5 (including a reference to the Holy Spirit's work), and the Gospel reading is the story in Matthew when the religious authorities pose to Jesus a question about paying taxes to Caesar, to which Jesus's response includes the profound statement, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God."

In the years immediately following my Confirmation, I was eager to get involved in some way in the Confirmation of succeeding classes, because my experience of that sacrament was so profound in my life.  In one of those years--and it may have been three years later in 2008--I was at the Confirmation Vigil on the evening before another group's Confirmation.  Mrs. Ondrla, who at the time was the Ascension Parish Director of Religious Education, told the young people that they should keep their red binders for three years, which contained all the reflection sheets on the readings they did throughout the preparation process.  In three years, the readings would cycle back to those readings they reflected on, which would be an opportunity for them to see that while they change, the readings stay the same.  Indeed, as I think about not only that set of readings, but other sets of readings, especially those that have made an impact on my life--it's amazing to think how true those sentiments ring.

Furthermore, it's amazing to see how the Church endures throughout the ages, under God's guiding hand, from the time God bestowed it upon the Apostles.  It is a great gift that is given to us who have faith in God, to be part of a community of people who share this one faith.

It has certainly been a great gift in my life to have faith and to express it in the Church.  But I realize that God has granted me the gift of faith through people, especially in the context of Church community.

My uncle's home parish is Holy Family, whose feast falls shortly after Nativity Day in late December.  I sent him my special greetings for the occasion one year, and he pointed out to me that family is like the smallest unit of church, as I have also heard it said that family is like a domestic church.  I have been blessed to have so many family members who are committed to faith, and passing it on to me as a member of the next generation, especially my parents, for whom that is an important role they play.  And it extends to my larger family, especially as I've involved people like my uncle in my faith formation as my Confirmation sponsor, a relationship that has extended well beyond that moment before Bishop Kane 12 years ago, even as it involved much in the preparation process leading to October 15.  Even my grandparents, full of wisdom in many years of living, have imparted insights of faith to me.

Then, of course, there are the church communities of which I've been a part.  Other parishes beyond Ascension have been involved in forming me to receive various sacraments, and giving me the opportunity to be involved and use my talents for the glory of God.  Calvary Memorial Church provided vibrant youth groups to help me learn lots about faith in my middle and high school years.  St. Teresa's helped me gain a totally renewed understanding of faith, through the example the various people of the community showed in extending their love to ValpU students by ministering to them, and showing them true care.  And then there were other faith communities of which I was part at ValpU, with opportunities to engage with people of faith among my friends.

And having received this gift of faith, I am now part of the important work of passing it on, which is the crux of what I do as a Religious Education catechist.  In my 8th grade class last month, I talked about the role of Sacred Tradition in the Roman Catholic Church, which touches upon so much of what we do.  In Tradition, our faith is handed on to us from Christ through the ages through various people.  I told my students that I didn't invent faith--it was something passed on to me, as I now pass it on to them.  To illustrate this, I taught my students the Party Hard Like Jesus Christ routine I learned from Father Kevin at St. Teresa's, who created it as a rub-off of his days as a cheerleading coach.  And they got such a kick out of it.

Two days later, I was at Julian Middle School, my beloved former middle school, which some of my RE students attend Julian.  I was there during lunch time on official library business, spending time with the students during their lunch periods.  A group of gals in my class came outside and approached me after they finished eating, and requested that I lead them in what they called "the song", which I then ascertained was the Party Hard Like Jesus Christ routine.  I was tickled that this was happening to me.

As I lead them in having some fun during their lunch period, it dawned on me that I was in the midst of an incredibly profound experience.  I was back at the place that played a significant role in helping me embrace faith as my own, sharing something with my RE students that I learned in college, which was the time in my life when I flourished in faith, and inspired me to channel my newfound zeal for faith in teaching RE and passing on the faith, which has been an important part of my life post-college.  Indeed, so many signifcant aspects of my life came together all at that moment.

Speaking of having an enjoyable time, I joined with my students in a large group from Ascension in having quite an exuberant time at the 2nd Annual Holy Fire gathering of the Archdiocese of Chicago for grades 6-9.  It was incredible to watch their response to the line-up of the gathering, which included Roman Catholic rapper and youth minister Joe Melendrez, motivational speakers (including Noelle Garcia who openly up about her personal struggles as a teen), Eucharistic adoration (which, incredibly, brought a crowd of nearly 4000 to silence), and Mass celebrated by Cardinal Cupich, with words of encouragement from Pope Francis.

During one of the breaks, I was talking with the mom of one of my RE students.  We discussed my involvement in teaching Religious Education.  She told me how I engaged so deeply in this ministry, and even remarked how she saw that, for me, teaching RE is my calling.

That was a profound insight she shared about what I do.  It helps make clear the progression of my faith, from being chosen by God and believing by accepting the gift of faith handed on to me from Him through others, to now being called to live out that gift in a specific way and to pass it on to others.  That's what I think has kept me so energized, is that I have embraced the calling.

And I can only wonder how my faith will keep abounding and growing as I continue to heed the calls God bestows upon me in the years ago come.

In the spirit of Confirmation--and yes, I guess a pun is intended--I think of a wonderful hymn, "God Has Chosen Me", which has been used at Confirmation Masses at Ascension.  (The video below omits the third verse, which is included in this version, and uses that word "call".)

The 2nd verse definitely speaks to my journey in faith, especially in teaching Religious Education, as I "set alight a new fire" in the hearts of my students and bring "to birth a new Kingdom on Earth" as my students live out their faith.

And it started, as St. Paul writes, because the Gospel came to me not in word alone, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much conviction" (1 Thessalonians 1:5).  And it was before God that I made this commitment to acclaim Him as Lord alone, giving Him what He is owed, a life spent living out the faith He granted me and by which He accomplishes His purposes.