The Way of Catechesis by Dan Pierson https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx Chapter 3 en-us 2017-07-01 18:14:23 UTC 2017-08-09 12:45:06 UTC hello@padlet.com Summary of Chapter 3: Identifying the Way: Jesus Teacher and Catechist dt084774 https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178052685 Jesus, the Way, "catechizes" through words, signs, and works." (p. 20) Through storytelling and oral tradition he speaks to his disciples and hearers about the Reign of God, that is captured especially in the beatitudes as well as commandment values. Jesus' life lived as Paschal Mystery is what "teaches" the Christian life truly and deeply lived. "[Jesus'] self-revelation invites us to explore the 'pedagogy of God,' his saving action over time that is not reducible to a daily lesson plan, rather it is love so vast and so intimate that we may struggle at first to understand it." (p. 43)]]> 2017-07-04 19:43:29 UTC https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178052685 Culture and Discernment https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178114955 I was struck by Gerard Baumbach's depiction of the role that culture played in the life of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.  "Jesus became one of us in and through the political, social and religious  world of his day."  And, "From within the domain of culture setting we learn to belong, believe, and to discern future steps along the way . . . (p. 38)" This strikes me as a powerful command for us not to wish we were in a different culture, but to recognize the culture that we have (so often denigrated as consumerist, hedonist, etc.) and find the ways God continues to community Godself to us through Jesus and the Spirit.  A lot of the catechists' travail surrounds the "culture" which can often seem inimical to Church or catechesis ("soccer vrs. catechsim") rather than seein culture as giving us opportunities for opening up the realm of mystery and grace.
P. 48 also helps to further the idea of discernment in our own lives and our catechetical ministry.  I noted with a big smile: "God leaves the door open for the older brother"--God writes no one off.  So what does that mean in terms of our pastoral stance?  The Spirit moves us beyond "neatly packaged" answers and requires self-examination. 
Frank DeSiano

]]> 2017-07-05 14:48:55 UTC https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178114955 Quick Links to Discussions Timewelch https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178215839 Chapter 1: Our Journey on the Way of Catechesis
Chapter 2: Rooting the Journey: Some Old Testament Foundations
Chapter 3: Identifying the Way: Jesus Christ, Teacher and Catechist
Chapter 4: Marking the Way: New Testament and the Emerging Church
Chapter 5: Framing the Way: The Church and the Catechumenate
Chapter 6: Spanning the Way: Catechesis through the Middle Ages
Chapter 7: Sustaining the Way: Fracture and Reform
Chapter 8: Reigniting the Way: Catechesis Bridging a Millennium
]]> 2017-07-06 19:35:56 UTC https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178215839 Storytelling Timewelch https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178216073 I really appreciate Baumbach's discussion of Jesus' use of the media of his day, parables (p. 46) (and of course the mud he made for the Blind Man, etc.)
I also appreciated Renee Bhatia's post "Holiness" for the Chapter 2 discussion touching on using the stories of Hebrew Scripture for adult formation.
Since video is a media (language?) of our day, my dream would be to have adults create and share short videos, perhaps from their smartphones, that tell a modern day parable, or story related to a theme from our 'parents' in Hebrew Scriptures, making connections for us. My dream would also include a way for adults to share those videos and... what the heck... included reflection questions :-)
Here is one such modern day parable narrated by M. Scott Peck.        -Tim Welch]]> 2017-07-06 19:43:00 UTC https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178216073 Engagement to Action theologyisaverb https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178327935 In Chapter 3, I find the actual witness of Jesus as teacher and living Word that Baumbach points too truly compelling. As catechists today, the use of modern parables is a remarkable way to elicit those “aha moments” within our students. (p.47) That is, taking the message of the Gospels and inviting the student to see themselves being asked the question posed or into the story itself. “Scriptural engagement” can take place for students at any age and as Baumbach so clearly illustrates points us to envisioning our faith as a “living faith” (p.49). 

There is an inherent challenge here, however. For when we start making those connections to our world today, it also compels a response to action. This is where we as catechists can look for ways to enable our students to take the next step forward. Whether it be through a new commitment to service or change in themselves or their community, they can begin to see that the Kingdom of God has already begun today. We all are asked to play our part in the salvific mission of Christ (p.57).
Elizabeth Reardon

]]> 2017-07-09 12:27:53 UTC https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178327935 Being a disciple https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178401412 In chapter 3 Baumbach describes Jesus' teaching process on pages 56-59 as going about Palestine preaching the beatitudes to those who would listen. He is calling all to follow his way of living in the presence of a loving God. In his "lesson" to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus Jesus opens their eyes to what really happened to him. He ends with a Eucharist where he breaks bread with them and sends them out with burning hearts to share what they experienced. This is a perfect description of the way of catechesis and the results we seek as we catechize today. Dan Thomas]]> 2017-07-10 15:22:27 UTC https://padlet.com/pierson_dj/6g7kr3jodblx/wish/178401412