Root your life in prayer

Message to catechists from Sr Juliet Rajah CHF, Directress of Catechetics

It’s September once again, and the Church acknowledges and celebrates all catechists throughout the Universal Church.

Our catechists are the persons in our parishes behind the scenes who accompany persons of all ages, as they embark on a closer relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus Christ.

St John Paul II is considered a model catechist for our times. Why? Because of his fearless witness in the midst of persecution by a Communist government in his country, Poland.

Imagine not being able to practise your faith or attend Holy Mass or make any public reference to God or Church because it is forbidden by the Government.

What energised St John Paul II?

He imitated Christ. His life was rooted in daily personal prayer; in adoration to the Blessed Sacrament; in speaking truth in spite of opposition and hostility; and in personal witness to charity and holiness of life.

As catechists, our lives must be rooted in prayer. Spending at least 5–10 minutes or even 15–20 minutes or more each morning in quiet meditation, roots our day in a certitude that God is with us as we go through the day.

As disciples, following Jesus’ example, we can turn our thoughts and minds to God in prayer as we journey through the day. Short prayers such as, ‘Lord Jesus, be merciful to me a sinner’ or ‘Lord, help me’ , ‘Holy Spirit, come to my aid’, keep us rooted in a life lived for Christ.

These practises help us to recognise God in the people we meet and motivate us to look beyond ourselves to reach out to others in love.

At the end of day, when turning our thoughts to the Examen, we give thanks for the many blessings of our day and reflect on our missed opportunities to recognise Christ working in our lives.

Developing these habits in our lives, help mould us into the persons Christ calls us to be, echoers of His Word and partakers in spreading the faith.