The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level III
March 17, 2009 - Level 3, Issue 12 |
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| Dear CGS Level III Parent, |
We are nearing the half-way mark of Lent. In Atrium, we continue our Lenten journey with a reflection on one of the Level III moral parables: The Workers in the Vineyard. As with all parables, the messages are varied and deep. But one that might speak to you as you pass the half-way point of Lent might be that message of God calling us always, even at the eleventh hour. It's never too late to respond with joyful gratitude to God's gifts, whether on day-one of a journey or in the middle or on the next-to-last day.
Now is a good time for you as a family to start looking forward to Holy Week. Consider reading with your child about the Jewish feast of Passover or reading a book about Easter together. An incredibly beautiful and meaningful experience for a child, if you have close friends who are Jewish, would be to arrange to share a Seder meal with them. This is such a deep and lasting way for your whole family to be present in that last meal that Jesus shared with his closest friends.
Peace,
Lina Hilko
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| Workers in the Vineyard |
The parable of the Workers in the Vineyard is found in Matthew 20:1-15:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. (And) he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? (Or) am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?'" What do you think? Do you have an immediate gut reaction to this parable? Read it again and think some more. What could this be telling us about the Kingdom of God?
The foundational point for Level III is this: God continuously seeks and invites people to work to build the Kingdom of God toward the fulfillment of God's Plan. At parousia, when God is all in all, all people who have worked to build God's Kingdom will share in the fullness of God equally and sufficiently.
But of course, the catechist doesn't just read this "conclusion" and move on. We work together to uncover the deep and varied messages of this parable. Hopefully, children will connect this parable with other parables, scripture passages, or prayers with which they have worked. The Good Shepherd calls each of us by name. He calls us constantly, and seeks us always, even in the eleventh hour. God gives us all we need and gives us enough. Maybe you can hear the words of Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack." Maybe you hear something from the Lord's Prayer, "Give us our daily bread." Sort of like the daily wage that everyone agreed upon. Are the rewards fair? Whose definition of fair? This gives us a chance to reflect upon social justice within God's plan. Perhaps you get a sense of how very inexhaustible a parable can be when you dive beyond your first gut reaction.
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| Passover |
The children in Levels I and II will be reflecting on aspects of the Last Supper this week. An important aim for such presentations is to help children grow in their love and understanding of the Eucharist. Another important aim, though, is to recall with the children that Jesus was a Jew and celebrated the Passover, a memorial celebrated a long time before Jesus and a memorial still celebrated all over the world by Jewish people today.
In the opening letter, I mentioned considering whether you have the opportunity to celebrate a Seder meal with friends. This type of experience can be life-changing and can certainly open many avenues of conversation with your child. The concept of memorial is to effectively place us in the event that is being memorialized. Have you ever seen those Magic School Bus books, where that crazy Ms. Frizzle takes her children on wild field trips, such as coursing through veins and arteries in a human body? Those kids sure do learn a lot because their schooling is so hands-on. Joining a family in their Seder celebration is kind of like that - one of the best spiritual field trips you could take!
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| Read About It |
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Do you have books about Passover and Easter available at home? You can provide your child the means of learning more, either with you or on their own, by providing simple books to read. When choosing Easter books, I definitely look through them first to make sure the story emphasizes important events based on my Catholic beliefs. For example, different books present the Last Supper in slightly different ways because not all Christians view the bread and wine in the same way that Catholics do. I particularly like the children's section of the Barnes & Noble on Webster and Clybourn. They have a good variety of books, and it's easy then to skim through for the story that best presents events that are particularly important to me. Three short books I have (and I'll bring them to Atrium these next couple times for children to read if they like) are:
The Story of Passover by Norma Simon
The Easter Story (take from Mark, chapters 11 - 16) retold by Allia Zobel-Nolan
The Story of Easter by Aileen Fisher
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| Continued Conversations |
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Parents may want to take some time now to read some portion of the narratives related to Jesus' final week of human life, from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his Last Supper to his trial and death to his resurrection. Is there something in particular speaking to you in any of these narratives this year? Listen for what God is lifting up for you this year. And then consider talking with your child about that portion of the story and why it feels particularly important this year. One way your child learns to be introspective - to listen more deeply and see more deeply and feel more deeply - is by following your example.
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| Invitation to Parents |
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St. Teresa's Mothers' Spiritual Reflection group will meet on Tuesday, March 31st from 7:30 to 9:00 PM in Avila Place. This is a group of mothers at all stages of motherhood who gather together to nourish their own spiritual life.
Also, St. Teresa will hold a Reconciliation service starting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 31st in the church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation can be a beautiful way for you to experience God's grace and deep love. | |
Please feel free to talk to me or email me ( LHilko@aol.com) with your questions, comments or concerns. Sincerely, Lina Hilko |
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