9 questions your students may ask you in school

6 September 2016

|

Tags: Educators

|

Categories: Resources

9 questions your students may ask you in school

Any Catholic educator–-especially those teaching in Catholic schools–-will eventually face some tough questions from students regarding the faith. How can we best answer and educate them about the Salvation Story? Here are some frequently asked questions compiled by a teacher from a Catholic school, and some suggested answers for our inquisitive young people.

1. Is God real? How do you know?
There is no hard proof that God is real or exists. However, if you observe the Earth carefully, you will know that someone superior to Man created it. Everything hangs in perfect balance – the atmosphere, the rotation of the Earth around the Sun, and all the other things which we take so much for granted. The other creation that requires close observation is the human body. Up until today, doctors are unable to fully comprehend the workings of the body; it is a deep mystery. These two creations would point to a super intelligent being as creator.

2. Why must I attend Mass? It’s boring.
The Mass is a coming together for the celebration of the Eucharist. In the Bible, Jesus taught His apostles that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood to live. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Mt 18:20). You can pray alone, but the Catholic faith is a communal religion. Didn’t Jesus say that if we cannot love our neighbor whom we can see, how can we love God whom we cannot see? To help yourself enjoy the mass, it is good to be attentive and listen to the priest as he takes you through it. Try to participate in the mass by volunteering your services at the altar or through some other means to make it meaningful to you. Being involved is the fastest way to learn and understand.

3. Can I do anything I want before declaring my belief in God when I am about to die?
Your life is created by daily habitual actions. If you lead a life of wanton living, it is highly unlikely that you would think of God when you are dying. Also, the soul would be unable to face God if it were not clean.

4. Why is our God a jealous God?
This is probably an idea taken from the Old Testament where we read that our God is jealous. The best way to explain this is through our love for someone. When we love someone, our whole attention is focused on that person. God wants us to centre our attention on Him, because He alone is the way to joy, truth and peace. As such, He is ‘jealous’ in the sense that He does not want us to stray from Him, for fear of losing us forever.

5. Is it a sin to masturbate?
Sex is an expression of love between persons of the opposite sex. It is possible only between two consenting adults and if one party does not want it, it should not take place. Masturbation does not require consent from another party, and is solely intended for giving oneself pleasure. It is an act of selfishness as there is no self-control required. Anything that is selfish leads to sin.

6. Is God a man or a woman?
God is neither man nor woman (CCC370). He is pure spirit, and not bound by biological gender in the way we are. God created mankind in His image, and thus our humanness is a reflection of His holiness – not the other way around.

7. Why must we have RCCE and then catechism on Sunday again?
The purpose of a Catholic school is to offer both religious education as well as academic training. It is a praying community that purports to live as closely as it can to the Gospel. If a Catholic school does not have some religious programmes, how does it differentiate itself? It is important to be introduced to God at a younger age so that as you grow older, you can question and dig deeper to find out more about your religion to deepen your faith. This is also why attending catechism on a Sunday is required by each parish up till Confirmation. While Catholic Schools and catechists offer slightly different programmes, the intention is the same: to form useful habits to equip you for the vicissitudes of life. The Catholic population is privileged to have so many organisations within and outside of the Church to help all Catholics through various stages in life.

8. Why must I go for confession?
Confession is a Sacrament ordained by the Church to help Catholics expiate their sins. Throughout the Bible, you will read that when a sin has been committed, restitution must be made. We are to first seek out the one we have hurt and ask for forgiveness. Then, to be accepted back into the community of God (i.e. the Church), we are to confess our sins. If the sinful action is against God alone, then only confession is necessary.

9. Hell must be a fun place. I don’t mind going there.
People tend to paint a fun picture of Hell as the place where they will find many friends and have a good time. Human experience tells us this is unlikely to be the case. People need opposites to appreciate the states of their lives. For example, you will appreciate leisure only if you are extremely busy for a period of time. As a hardworking student, you will look forward to the school holidays. If your life was one of debauchery, you would not enjoy it for long. Like the prodigal son, many who indulge in unfettered hedonism eventually find themselves feeling empty and in pain. Hell is an infinite extension of this loneliness. Coupled with the company of every wicked, selfish and evil person that’s ever lived, it is a circus of fear and danger. Not so fun when you think about it, is it?

Christ, The Merciful Teacher

1 September 2016

|

Tags: Educators

|

Categories: Reflections, Saints

Christ, The Merciful Teacher

In our valiant efforts to impart knowledge to our students, have we been faithful in reflecting Christ’s love and compassion to them? As we celebrate Teacher’s Day in the Year of Mercy, let us ponder on the ways in which we can become merciful and life-giving educators.

The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, which began on 8 December last year, will end on 20 November, on the Feast of Christ the King. In an attempt to reawaken the spirit of benevolence in the Church, Pope Francis has repeatedly called for Catholics to openly practise compassion, forgiveness and patience in their lives, emphasising the paramount importance of showing kindness to one another.

What does this call mean for Catholic educators? As teachers, we hold the future of young people in our hands. Year after year, we work towards helping them grow in knowledge, character and spirit. In our bid to push our students to greater heights, have we forgotten that mercy ultimately lies at the heart of the education mission? How then, can we exhibit mercy in our daily work? Here are some ways to make full use of the remaining time in the Year of Mercy.

Be renewed in spirit
We cannot give what we don’t have. To spread God’s love to our students, we must first experience it in our lives. Amidst the busy-ness of our day-to-day schedules, we may fail to notice God knocking on our hearts. Although He is persistent in His desire for us to mend our broken ways and return to Him, we cannot hear Him unless we first quieten ourselves, and set our lives in order.

Take some time to participate in the Archdiocese-wide or parish-based activities specially organised for the year. Go on a pilgrimage to one of the five Holy Doors in Singapore (at the Churches of the Sacred Heart, St Vincent de Paul, Risen Christ, Divine Mercy, and Holy Cross) and spend some time in prayer. Go for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Participate in charity outreach activities organised by your parish. It is also a good practice to go for Mass daily, so that you can be spiritually prepared for the day ahead.

Get to know fellow Catholic teachers in your school and form a network of mutual support. Colleagues you can trust and confide in serve as a source of courage during trying times, sparing you the agony of facing the pressure alone. Just as Jesus sent out His disciples two-by-two to preach God’s message (Mk 6:7), we too, need somebody to lean on when the going gets tough.

Be understanding mentors
In the Gospel, Jesus reiterates the prevailing role of compassion in God’s plan: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (Mt 9:13) Indeed, God’s divine will prioritises the emotional growth and spiritual well-being of His children over their academic accomplishments. We are not drill instructors who blindly pummel formulae and technical knowledge into our students. Rather, we are mentors and role models to them, as they discover more about themselves and mature as adults. The call to nurture them as intelligent, responsible and confident persons requires us to journey with them.

Start by examining the social context they live in, the values they grew up with and the information they engage with on a daily basis. What are the latest trends that influence them? What are their career aspirations? Where do they hope to further their studies? Reflecting on these questions will make it easier for us to relate to them. Only by coming to understand their worries, dreams and beliefs can we be better confidants to our young people.

During lessons, we may notice one or two students who seem to be troubled, or are more prone to emotional outbursts than their peers. There are also students who tend to be more rowdy in class, and who periodically disrupt lessons with their mischief. Instead of labelling these students as ‘problems’, make a special effort to reach out to them. Seize opportunities for conversation, and you might learn more about their lives. Establishing rapport with students will go a long way in making lessons more efficient and effective.

Pray for your students
Most importantly, we must not forget that the greatest gift we can bring to our students is the Kingdom of Heaven. Though our profession is to educate them about the wonders of the world, our divine task is to lead them towards the embrace of God. And what better way to begin this calling than to ask God to shower them with His blessings? Just like a caring father who would only give the best to his child, He is ever-ready to give good things to those who ask (Mt 7:7-11).

Before your first lesson every day, dedicate a chaplet of the Divine Mercy or a decade of the rosary for the intentions of your students. Ask God to help these young people focus as they learn more about the world He has created. Ask Him to protect them from all harm and evil influence, and to only pick up values that will mould them into upright persons of integrity. Ask our Lady to intercede for them, that they may open their hearts to Christ.

In praying for our students, we are reminded of our special role as Catholic educators, delivering God’s love and mercy to the next generation. Let us optimise the last months in Year of Mercy to bring our youths closer to God and His Kingdom, and extend His boundless love through our service.

View All Posts