The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level III 
February 3, 2009 - Level 3, Issue 9
In This Issue
Typology Basics
Creation and Redemption
Creation and Parousia
Continued Conversations
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Dear CGS Level III Parent,  
The Good Shepherd

This week, Level III concludes its series on Creation Typology by working with some materials which help the children experience typological reading of scripture.
 
It probably seems a bit early to be mentioning this, but please consider that the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 25th.  Please mark the start of Lent on your family calendar now so you may celebrate the beginning of this important season of preparation as a family.
 
Mothers are invited to save the date for St. Teresa's Mothers' Spiritual Reflection February meeting:  Tuesday, February 24th form 7:30 to 9:00 PM in the Parish Center.  We will reflect on and discuss various parables which are presented to children in Levels II and III.  St. Teresa's Mothers' Spiritual Reflection group is a group of mothers at various stages of motherhood who meet once a month (except summer) to reflect on God's word and grow spiritually.
 
Peace,

Lina Hilko
Typology Basics 
Previous e-newsletters have described the concept of typological reading of scripture (see 1/6/09 newsletter) and have provided some basis for parental reflection on creation typology (see 1/12/2009 newsletter).  You can access the archived newsletters by going to St. Teresa's web site.  There's a link (under the heading Catechesis) in the area along the left.  I think the 1/12/09 newsletter can be particularly effective for helping a parent get a feel for typological reading. 
Creation and Redemption 
The history of salvation is a long history, beginning with Creation and reaching the culminating moment at the Redemption, the time of Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection.  Although separated through much time, there are similarities between Creation and Redemption.  There is a work that helps children begin to sense these connections.  The work is not an end, but rather an opening of a door.  Below I mention some of the connections, but please don't read these as the only connections:
 
In Creation, we read of Adam, who is created from the earth and from whom all humankind descends.  At the center of history is Jesus, the heavenly man, to whom we are all united through Baptism, as branches of a vine.  So, we can consider Jesus as the new Adam.

So, too, it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being," the second Adam a life-giving spirit.  But the spiritual was not first; rather the natural and then the spiritual.  The first man was from the earth, earthly; the second man, from heaven.  As was the earthly one, so also are the earthly, and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly.  Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.  1 Corinthians 15: 45-49

The waters of Creation are connected to the waters of Baptism.  The Rite of Baptism incorporates these words:

"At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness."

The Rite also reminds us of other times when God has given the gift of water as a sacramental sign:  the waters of the flood, of the Red Sea, and of the Jordan, as well as the water that flowed from Jesus' side as he was pierced with a spear.  The celebrant asks that the Father, with His Son, send the Holy Spirit upon the waters of the baptismal font.
 
The Creation Typology work also raises up the connection of the garden home (Eden), which contained everything humans needed, particularly food and drink, with the home of the Church, which provides the food of eternal life.
 
Creation and Parousia 
Again, the history of salvation is a long one, beginning with Creation and culminating at Redemption.  And still the history is not finished.  It concludes with Parousia, the time when "God will be all in all."
 
In the beginning, God created the world and people (Adam).  Through Redemption, the Risen Christ is the "new Adam" who provides divine life to all who enter into communion with him.  At Parousia, "God will be all in all" and the heavens and the earth will be renewed.  Some children may reflect on the following scripture passages:
No longer shall the sun be your light by day,
Nor the brightness of the moon shine upon you at night;
The LORD shall be your light forever, your God shall be your glory.
No longer shall your sun go down, or your moon withdraw,
For the LORD will be your light forever,
  and the days of your mourning shall be at an end.
 
Isaiah 60: 19-20
 
 
Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth;
The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind.
 
Isaiah 65: 17
Continued Conversations 
I realize that typology isn't the easiest thing to grasp or digest.  (Well, it isn't for me anyway.  I'm definitely counting on the Holy Spirit to lend a helping hand in Atrium.)  I don't necessarily think continued conversation is immediately needed around typology.  It's perhaps better just to work with it naturally within yourself as a parent and see where that work takes your parent/child relationship over time.
 
Please feel free to talk to me or email me ([email protected]) with your questions, comments or concerns.  Sincerely, Lina Hilko