“Make me know thy ways, O Lord, teach me thy path. Lead me in thy truth and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation.” Ps 25:24-25
“I will instruct you and teach you they way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Ps 32:8.
“They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.”
Ezek 44:23.
“They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God.” Lk 20:21.
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” Jn 3:2.
“Every day in the temple and at home thy did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Acts 5:42.
”If you are sure you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-you then who teach others, will you not teach yourself?” Rom 2:19-21
“All have the right to a Christian education, to develop the maturity of the human person. All the baptized as they are gradually introduced to a knowledge of the mystery of salvation become daily more appreciative of the gift of faith which they have received. Teachers possessed by charity, “inspired by an apostolic spirit, should bear testimony by their lives and their teaching to the one Teacher, who is Christ.” Vatican II on Christian Education, 2.
“The sacred synod furthermore affirms its deep gratitude to those priests, religious, nuns and laity who in a spirit 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 toexcel in inspiriting their pupils with the spirit of Christ, in their mastery of the art of teaching, and in their zeal for learning that they may not only promote the internal renewal of the Church but also maintain and augment its benefical presence in the world today. Ibid.
In the last fifteen years many of the lay faithful have moved beyond the learning laboratories of ordinary life to more systematic education in theology, Scripture, spiritual life, religious studies, and spiritual direction. This development has been beneficial to growing numbers of lay women and men who, in turn, have helped the whole Church understand and communicate the truths of our faith in new ways. US Bishops Called and Gifted?
We urge that theological education and formation be extended to more lay persons. In Strengthening the Bonds of Peace, we specifically encouraged women to pursue studies in Scripture, theology, and canon law. Now we similarly encourage lay men, so that the Church—and they themselves—may benefit from these scholarly efforts. Innovative ways must be found to bring the best of the Catholic intellectual and spiritual tradition to more laity. Print and electronic media, computer networks, and mentoring programs offer exciting possibilities. The Church needs a well-educated, inquiring, and vocal laity if the new evangelization is to achieve its full potential. US Bishops, Called & Gifted.
“Always allow yourselves to be surprised by God. May the Spirit, the interior Teacher, strengthen you in faith and make you even more conformed to Christ.” Pope John Paul II, April, 1998.
Teachers
Teachers are called by God to share their faith and education with others. This spiritual gift is reflected not only in their studies, but in their personal spiritual experiences and faith journey.
Teachers enjoy the challenge of bringing others to a deeper faith and a more mature faith experience. They are constantly learning and receive more from learning than those they teach. They study their faith and are excited by presenting it in new and creative ways. They see those they teach not only as learners, but as fellow teachers. The Holy Spirit teaches them daily what they need to share their faith and their faith is not a head knowledge only, rather it is a whole lived faith experience.
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?