40 Days of Seeking Him 2011 ~ Day 8

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Aside from the reminder about the rice bowl, there was something else that came up as a discussion after classes were over which I thought I would include in this 40 Day of Seeking Him meme. P brought up that his primary instructor, in her zeal to share ideas, comes across as pumping herself up for good works. He also felt like she was chastising those who asked ‘silly questions.’

First off, I have to say that in some ways my proverbial hat is tipped to any adult willing to volunteer as a catechist.  Being a catechist for any age group can be a challenge.  However, I think the teen years require special individuals to step up to the plate and do it well. 

While I can not say that the particular lady leading the class P is in (with 8th through 10th graders) is doing a stellar job, I can say that she is always there with enthusiasm and trying to engage this age group through games.  The DRE (director of religious education for those outside the Catholic faith) sits in for most of this class and helps on occasion.  So, I feel somewhat safe in assuming they are not failing to teach the Catholic faith.  Being a bit loosey goosy with this particular class (as in no syllabus provided to the parents and no written materials being used by the class) has me wondering a bit about the whole point of this activity we call faith formation class.  Then there’s the whole merging of three grade levels at a time when differences in development can be huge….But, I digress…

Anyways, he said that she was yet again going on about different ways to sacrifice, etc.  Her examples included that she would fast from meat and just have a salad.  On the surface, that seems like a ‘noble’ sacrifice to make during Lent. BUT…. the problem is in presentation.  P walked away feeling like this woman only seeks to boast of her deeds. 

We did just hear in the Gospel reading (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) on Ash Wednesday that we should fast, give alms and pray ‘in secret’ rather than “practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them.” 
Now, P did not go with me to Mass on Ash Wednesday.  However, he is like many young individuals and possesses the ability to remember at least part of repeated Scripture passages.  He’s also got that uncanny coming of age knack to spot hypocrisy a mile away.  (I think it’s God’s way of keeping parents honest, lest their offspring call them to task too often!)

So, remembering that he’s heard numerous times that we should not be advertising our good deeds for all the world to see and seek recognition for it, he is no longer wanting to listen to what this particular lady has to say.  He’s come away from what was quite possibly an attempt to encourage the teens to find ways of practicing their faith with the sense that his catechist is all about HER.  In my mind, it is not a good thing when someone in a leadership position looses credibility with those they are ‘leading.’

This then had me wondering where the line is between sharing your own walk on the path to holiness and boasting about it.  I’m sure that there are times when I’ve talked about myself in ways that could seem boastful.  Although, in reality, most of the time I’m quite possibly verbalizing in a way to make what I do seem to have worth.  Being a full time mother who is educating her children across the board should be considered something of extreme value.  But, in our materialistic society, it is often looked down upon. 

Can you guess what conversations will be happening as part of our faith instruction at home? (If you guessed finding balance between encouraging others by sharing and keeping it all in secret, then you’d be right!)
As for his other complaint… One of the 9th graders he knows from Boy Scouts decided to ask what I would call an irrelevant question for the topic at hand.  It was something along the lines of “Did Jesus have a beard?”  Instead of saying something like “That’s an interesting question.  I’m sure people have different opinions on the matter.  However, the topic tonight is X and that’s what we are discussing.”  Her response was to laugh it off and call it a dumb/stupid question. 

I’ll close this post with a quote I saw on EWTN’s devotional site with the Mass Readings by the day.  Questions of whether we will send the boys TO faith formation classes next year (or even if they will all continue homeschooling) are running through my brain already.  So, the quote for yesterday really hit home.

The home must be in accord with the Church, that all harmful influences be withheld from the souls of children. Where there is true piety in the home, purity of morals reigns supreme. – St. John Vianney