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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Essential Lessons

After my last post, I wanted to share something about the theology that the children have lifted up for us in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. There is so much that could be said!  But for now, I'll just say this:

It is so easy to underestimate children, expecting them to like the "cute" stories from the Bible, and wanting to make the stories "fun" to catch their interest.  For me, one of the most significant revelations from the children is their desire for the the most essential understandings of our Christian faith. Awe and wonder at God becoming a tiny baby, joy at the gift of the light of Christ given at Baptism, deep love for Jesus the Good Shepherd of the sheep, and gratefulness for the gift of Jesus in the bread and wine -- these are just a few of the central themes of the Christian message that catechists discovered over and over again in their observations of children.

As a result, in the Good Shepherd Atrium (for 3-6 year olds) we present the heart of our Christian theology to the children.  As they grow we have no need to "go deeper."  Instead we continually draw the circle wider to bring in more for the children to ponder.
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2 comments:

  1. tlbNovember 19, 2010 at 5:41 PM

    i love this. it highlights the depth of our human spirit even from birth - that we can grasp the deepest "theology" even if we don't have words to express it (although clearly age 3 - 6 year olds do have the words!) - that we are in a relationship with God even before we are born. did i say how much i love this?

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  2. LeslieNovember 19, 2010 at 6:28 PM

    I couldn't have said it better myself Toni! Thank you!!! I love it too!!!!

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