Always (Oct.

12-13, 2008 issue of DCHerald)

From Perceptions to Convictions

by
Erwin Joey E. Cabilan

Many of us catechists think that the very reason why we devote ourselves to the Ministry of
Catechesis is because we want to share the gift of faith to others. To be specific, their perception is
expressed in the following phrases such as to give, to let others know about God and His teachings, to
proclaim God’s message to those who don’t know about it, to make Jesus known and loved and etc.
Personally, I don’t consider these as a problem. Perceptions, in their very nature, are subjective. But if
we look at these from an objective point of view, these are gradually turned into “catechetical
orientations” that are prevalent through the years.

1st critique. Catechesis is viewed as a “downward movement”. Seemingly, the catechist treats
him/herself as the “primary” source of things about God. Learners are dealt as passive recipients of
the Gospel Message.

2nd critique. The method tends to be authoritarian because the teaching-learning process is too
dependent on the catechist. Teaching approaches are somehow catechist-centered. Less opportunities
are given to let them “experience” our faith. Catechesis is limited to the four walls of a classroom or a
seminar hall! If there are, I guess, most of them are focused on memory rote. If they do Q and A,
questions aren’t thought provoking and less challenging.

3rd critique. Because learners are treated as passive recipients, the Content (Christian Message) is
understood without properly internalizing it. “Owning” the Message is only possible if the learners are
given the freedom and the responsibility to reflect, to absorb and to participate in the so called
“mysteries of our faith”. Instead of saying, “This is our faith”, they would rather say, “That is faith.”

I guess, these critiques tell us that we are mediocre in a certain sense. How can we overcome
our own mediocrity as catechists? Let’s start by shifting our perceptions into convictions.

First, be convinced that each learner is never an “empty slate”. Take note, before entering the
classroom or a seminar hall, each of our catechized has an experience of God at home and at they
community where he/she belongs. Jesus’ pedagogy was never a “downward movement” but it was
“down-to-earth”. Therefore, it is proper to greet them by saying, “The God in me greets the God in
you!”

Second, let us never forget that our learners are human beings. One time, a student-catechist of
mine shared her own frustration towards her professors. According to her, she felt she never received
what was due for her (This is justice!) when one of her professors answered her question in a manner
that was not fitted according to her profession. She was deeply hurt. I admire my student-catechist’s
courage for bringing into a proper venue her own grievances. As educators in the faith, if we can
hardly treat our students well either because of we cling to our own ego or because our students’
attitude challenge us, take what is basic in life: treat them as human beings! If our methods are
humane, then, we can be effective and efficient.

Third, always remember that a good teacher-catechist is a good friend of the learners. St.
Thomas Aquinas defines friendship as “the most perfect form of love”. It is a language that allows each
one to speak with courage and with trust. It is inclusive and never exclusive. Conversion took place in
the lives of Mary Magdalene, Zacchaeus, the 12 Disciples and more because Jesus treated them as His
dear friends. If we are friends of our catechized, we take what Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, O.P. has stated
about this universal form of love, that a friend is the “one who seeks only the good of the other”.