30th Apr Cl XII Catechism

April 30, 2020

Good morning !😊

We've come to the last day of April - you've been at classes for a month! A month of online classes and more than a month of lockdown! Congratulations!

You'll need mental and spiritual stamina for this - while I hope that the lockdown will draw to a close - it will do so rather slowly! Hold in there! For some reason - our abilities to cope are being expanded! One wonders - why does learning always have to be a challenge - that's the nature of it !!!! Take heart! There's a future waiting for us - where we can be sure we will need all of what we've learned to be! "God does not take back his gifts - he does not change his mind about those He has chosen!" St Paul's letter to the Romans Ch 11 vs 29

Reminder - if you haven't done so already - please enter your name in the "Comment" space - kindly do this each time you log into the blog post for the class - Thank you 🙏.
Once again, a reminder that when you are on social media (and this interaction is the use of social media for education), we are reminded that this is a public space and that we are called on to be our best selves - so kindly communicate appropriately at all times - in doing so you are respecting yourself and all of us. Thank you!

Please note that you'll need: your drawing of your projected river of life and earphones for this class.

REVIEW
There are 3 movements in what we are doing in catechism - not separate - all linked.

strengthening our capability of being at ease with ourselves - feelings/mindfulness
looking ahead - visioning our future - drawing - the river of life; Mindler - report
invitation to let Jesus accompany us on our life's journey - Resurrection experience

STEP 1
Today, we want to first do our mindfulness meditation in a different way today

however, if you would still like the assistance of the guided heartfulness - please link onto that link - it's at the end of this post.
if you would like something different - this time - you will just listen to 5 minutes of gentle music and you will guide your own awareness of your body from the tips of your toes to the top of your head - do this by clicking this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6_akBtKZdE

STEP 2
Let's now - turn to the drawing of the river of your future life

as you look forward to the next so many years 18-22; 22-27; 27-32; 32-37....

what significant events do you think will occur?
when do you think that these events will occur?
what effect will these have in your life?

can you plot these events on your drawing?
can you be aware - and even write the feelings you have when you consider this.
does anything in the Mindler report (this is a very important report) come to your mind (it will only come to your mind - suddenly and unexpectedly - and that's one of it's most important uses - if you have gone through the report well and discussed it with one of the counselors)

STEP 3
Keeping what we have just thought of in mind, let's consider Jesus' appearances to his disciples at his Resurrection

Jesus appearing to Martha and Mary (Jn 20 : 1, 11-18)
Jesus appearing to Peter and John (Jn 20 : 1 - 10)
Jesus appearing to the disciples when they went out fishing (Jn 21 : 1 - 14)

do you remember these stories?
If not, please read the stories in the Bible - as noted

In all these stories Jesus' dearest friends experience the risen Jesus
They were all of them grief-stricken at his death; they were dejected; they were even scared

they were like so many people who are grieving for someone who was dear to them and who has died.
they remembered Jesus

they wanted to be at his tomb
they wanted to be doing what they used to do when he was with them - fishing!

they began to talk to each other and to others about how they felt
they began thinking about him and what he said
as they were experiencing these feelings and going through these memories, something happened

something moved in their hearts
they knew that Jesus was not a dead story
the experience became more and more powerful
they had to have the experience a few times
they experienced the resurrection of Jesus

You are invited to experience Jesus - alive and with you and among us - Jesus Risen!

You are invited to

get to know Jesus
let Jesus walk with you in your life

this will happen gradually with practice

that's what catechism helps you with
that's what family prayer helps you with
that's what family prayer helps you with
that's what church services are meant to help you with.

Are you willing to accept the invitation?
How do you accept the invitation?

by increasing in awareness of yourself
by welcoming Jesus to be with you in your awareness of yourself
by reading the scriptures and letting Jesus - the "Word of God" help you live your life to the full.

Have a good day - do keep thinking about this - take care 🙏

Resource : Heartfulness Guided meditation : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G42Z7-vZvw