“I will take you as my people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God,” Ex 6:7.
“Teach me your wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust.” Ps 119:66.
“For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than sacrifice.” Hos 6:6.
“To you has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God.” Luke 8:10.
“The sheep hear his voice. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” John 10:3-4.
“This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.”
John 17:3.
“They prayed, ‘Lord you know the heart of all.’” Acts 1:24.
“For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has come in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus.” 2 Cor 4:6.
“We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God,” Col 9:10.
“Rejoice in the Lord always, I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:5-7.
God “desires all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth,” 1 Tim 2:4.
“All people of whatever race, condition or age, in virtue of their dignity have an inalienable right to education. This education should be suitable to the particular destiny of the individuals, adapted to their ability, sex and national cultural traditions.” Vatican II, Christian Education.
Vatican II Council affirms its deep gratitude to those priests, religious, and laity “who in a spirituality of evangelical dedication have devoted themselves to the all important work of education and schools of all kinds and grades. It exhorts them to persevere generously in the work they have undertaken, and to strive so to excel in inspiring their pupils with the spirit of Christ.” Ibid.
“Knowing Jesus and the Church is a life long process. We are never too young or too old to come to know our faith. Blessed are those who teach the faith to adults or children. Everyday there are new ways and means to know our faith and to share it with others. Those who know the Lord use every means possible to share their faith with others.” Ibid
“Education is integral to the mission of the Church to proclaim the Good News. First and foremost every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth.” Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi, 4.
“The Church’s primary mission of evangelization, in which educational institutions play a crucial role, is consonant with a nation’s fundamental aspiration to develop a society truly worthy of the human person’s dignity.” Pope Benedict at Catholic University, April, 2008.
Knowledge
Scripture and our faith tell us that God wants us to know who God is and who we are. God provides the knowledge, the information and the insight into this spiritual gift. Knowledge begins with learning from schools, Scripture and the Church what is the content of our faith. Since Vatican II everyone has been encouraged to study and to pray for direction and wisdom in their faith. Evangelization is the result of knowledge because it leads people to share their faith with others. Learning is a life long process and we are blessed to live in a society where we can study our faith and update our knowledge of it.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?