In the end, what is most the most important element of your teaching? Hands down, it has to be passion!
Two nights ago I went to an explanatory Mass given by an awesome priest. He was a little overweight, had a bit of a speech impediment and thick glasses. At first glance, he wasn’t that impressive, but that’s not what was important. His presentation was excellent and he held the audience of around 100 in rapt attention. What made the difference was his passion. I already knew most of the stuff he said (although I did learn a few things), but his enthusiasm was infectious. The whole time, his love for the Lord and for the Mass spilled out and that made him interesting. It gave credibility to what he was saying. People listened and learned. Not only that, I was left with a sense of hope and possibility. He increased my faith. It was powerful!
It’s often said that you can’t give what you don’t have. It’s said so often because it’s true! If you want your students to take hold of what you tell them and run with it in their lives, you have to be running ahead of them. Know the doctrines you teach, but more importantly, live them! Tell your students how they impact your life. Internalize these truths and you will deliver them with passion and power! It makes all the difference.
Couldn’t agree with you more! I’m giving a talk on “praying the Mass” (not my books in particular, but about cultivating an attitude of prayer at Mass) at a nearby parish in December, and I’ve been practicing my presentation. I find myself growing more and more zealous as I explain certain things (like the Sign of the Cross and “The Word of the Lord. / Thanks be to God.”).nnHopefully my passion for our Lord and the Mass will inspire the parishioners to a deeper love of the Eucharist and a more prayerful experience of the Mass.
I’m sure it will. I can tell you have a love for the Mass and a deep passion for this subject. I bought your book by the way and I’m looking forward to reading it. I don’t really know a lot about liturgy. I know a lot in terms of catechetics and the links to doctrinal teaching and Scripture but not much about translations and stuff. But I’m seeing some neat theological connections in the preciseness of the new translation. I’m interested in delving more into it. Thanks for the comment.
Great insight Pat! I love the way you put that. Thanks for visiting!
” Internalize these truths and you will deliver them with passion and power!” Amen to that! That is the “power from on high” spoken about in the Bible.
It is from our relationship with Christ developed through prayer, that everything else comes…the passion in how we live and how we share what we believe. Always a good reminder, as Pat shared, “theology on our knees.”
I really like that–from our relationship with Christ developed through prayer flows our passion. That is awesome! I couldn’t agree more Amanda!
Thanks for the comments.