Catechetical Sunday

“The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.”

The U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Catechesis has chosen this theme for Catechetical Sunday, Sept. 21, this year. I am reminded of the words to a song that is used for the Dismissal of Catechumens after the Liturgy of the Word during Sunday Mass: “May the Word of God strengthen you, may the Word of God nourish you, may the Word of God comfort you all your life.” I imagine we could add to those words, “May the Word of God challenge you, may the Word of God inform you, may the Word of God free you from your sins.”

The Word of God is a powerful force in the life of every Christian. It is very appropriate that this theme was chosen for Catechetical Sunday. In October of this year, there will be a synod of bishops in Rome discussing that very topic. A synod is an occasional gathering of a representative body of bishops, and others, from around the world to deal with issues of importance in the Church. Pope Benedict XVI called this synod to emphasize the importance of Scripture in the life and mission of the Church and to encourage Catholics to read, study, love and live the sacred Scripture.

It is not just a coincidence that this synod coincides with the Year of Saint Paul. The letters that Paul wrote in order to nurture and encourage the communities of faith that he either established or visited make up a large part of the New Testament. These letters are a powerful witness to the faith of Paul. They can truly be an inspiration for us today. Some would say that Paul’s letters are difficult, but there is great value for all people of faith in studying them. I would like to offer just a few examples of the powerful message that one can discover in Paul’s letters:

Romans 5:8: “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 12:14-15: “Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

2 Corinthians 5:17: “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Galatians 2:19b-20a: “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me.”

Galatians 5:22-23a: “In contrast the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

And there are many more. It is well worth it to take some time to sit with the letters of St. Paul. The humanity of Paul as well as his love of the Lord and passion for the Gospel will come through.

Central to the message of Paul is the person Jesus Christ, the Word of God. We call Scripture the word of God, but it is the Word of God, Jesus Christ, Who is the life and mission of the Church. Discovering Christ is the reason that we read the Scriptures. Through our baptism we have received new life in Christ. In the Eucharist actually receiving Christ into our hearts in the tabernacles that are our bodies nourishes us and helps us grow in this salvific baptismal life.

But we must not forget the mission. We may think that Catechetical Sunday is only for those people who teach in our schools or who have a specific role in the catechetical ministry of the parish as a PSR teacher or possibly an RCIA catechist, but actually it is a call for all of us who are baptized. The waters of baptism make us all sharers in the mission of Christ. We are all called to proclaim the Good News of Christ to the world.