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Who Do You Say That I Am?
by Jo Rotunno

“At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person,
the Person of Jesus of Nazareth.”
(Catechesi Tradendae, 5)

With these words, Pope John Paul II made clear to us why it is so important for us to know our answer to Jesus’ question to his disciples “Who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8:29) These words form the theme of this year’s Catechetical Sunday and remind us that we cannot be effective ministers of the word if we cannot respond with clarity and conviction who Jesus is—for us and for the world.

I can recall a time in my young adulthood when I foolishly explained to a Protestant friend that faith was simply an intellectual assent to what God has revealed. Oh, my! What I now understand is that faith is truly an assent to God’s revelation, but it is the assent of my whole person—body, mind, and spirit. If my faith is not lived on every level of my daily life, it is shallow indeed.

When I look at the six tasks of catechesis described in both the General Directory for Catechesis and the National Directory for Catechesis, I will view them differently if I see them from the perspective of a fully conscious and alive Catholic faith. When I promote knowledge of the faith, I will be able to do so in a way that engenders a passion to know more of Jesus and his message. When I help my learners to understand the Church’s liturgy and sacraments, I will do so as one who is continually nourished by the Church’s ritual worship. I will assist others in their moral formation as one who struggles every day with the demands of the Gospel. I will help others to pray because I have come to know the essential value of prayer in my own life. I will prepare learners to live in community by first making my catechetical space a true Christian community. I will provide opportunities for them to learn by doing what it means to live the mission of Jesus to love and serve others.

I could not do these things well if I had not experienced good adult faith formation in many places along my life’s journey. These experiences have carried me far beyond my young adult days when I thought faith was lived more in my head than in my heart. As Catechetical Sunday approaches this year, reflect on how you will help those you serve to respond to the Lord’s call with head, with hands, and always with heart.

Adult Formation
The Faith Connection®

Whole Community Catechesis
Online Resource

Sacrament Preparation
Eucharist and Reconciliation

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