Catechist Know How April 2007

All Eyes on You; A Lesson in Humility

By Mary Lou Rosien

There we were, at the Mass of Enrollment for my Confirmation Class. This year, my class includes two of my own sons, what a proud moment. Standing at the front of the church, beaming with (there's that word again) pride, my five-year-old son, whispers LOUDLY, "Mom, I'm going to the bathroom," and tears down the aisle. Ouch, I try to squish my self smaller as my seven-year-old daughter, shouts, "I'll go help him," and runs down after him.

Oh, the glories of being a mom and a faith formation teacher. All eyes are on us, after all, we are the examples, right? We are leading our young people to the Lord. We are....embarrassed to death, by our own children's actions.

Almost all of us have found ourselves in this position. We feel called to teach and try to respond with grace. We assume we will obtain some extra grace from God to help us increase in virtue for responding to the call. But, God, seems to have a sense of humor.

He knows I struggle with issues of pride. He knows I am quick to accept responsibility when my children know the right answer at religion, or voluntarily go to Confession or behave nicely at church (okay, that last part hardly ever happens), but He also knows that all those wonderful things are gifts from Him, not me. So, He likes to remind me that I am just human.

In moments like this I try to remember what God teaches us in Sacred Scripture.

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves." -- Philippians 2:3

"My child, perform your tasks with humility; Then you will be loved by those whom God accepts. The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; So you will find favor in the sight of the Lord. For great is the might of the Lord; But by the humble he is glorified." -- Sirach 3:17-20

These readings help remind me of the importance of humility in my roles as mother and teacher. They help me to be grateful to God for all those embarrassing moments that knock me down a peg or two.

Still He also reminds me, through scripture, to live the life to which he has called me. He wants me to stay true to this, even when I doubt my own ability to complete the task.

"Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called." -- Ephesians 4:1

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might." -- Ecclesiastes 9:10

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." -- Proverbs 16:3

We have been called to this work, to His work, and if we commit this work to Him, He will be glorified by it. My life belongs to the Lord, not myself and I am grateful that He chooses to deal with me with humor. I pray that the irony of His methods will not be lost on me. God bless.

-- Mary Lou Rosien writes from her home in North Chili, NY where she prepares two of her seven children for Confirmation and another one for First Communion this year. She is the author of Managing Stress with the Help of Your Catholic Faith (Our Sunday Visitor Publishing).