Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
When I was reflecting on the scripture readings from today, I was struck by the phrase, “They shall all be taught by God.” What does it mean to have God as our teacher, and how can we be good students in the God’s classroom?
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus reminds His disciples that He and the Father are one. The Father draws us to Jesus and calls us to believe in Him. God teaches us through the life, death and resurrection that divine Love poured out through Jesus is the source of eternal life.
In the first reading, Phillip is led by the Spirit to join the Ethiopian eunuch and share the Good News regarding Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Phillip had learned from Jesus as he spent time with Jesus and His ministry. Because of Phillip’s openness to God and God’s ways, Phillip was able to bring others to Christ.
So what does it mean for God to be our teacher? I have been both a student and an instructor, so these experiences provide me some insights into this relationship with God. One of first thing I recognize is the importance of coming to class. Some people even refer to prayer as “the classroom of silence.” If we hope to learn from our Teacher, we need to take the time and effort to be present and share conversation with God. Not only is it important to “go to class”, but it is always very helpful- if not essential- to read the book used in class. In the scriptures, God reveals so much about who He is and how He has been present throughout history. Without this written word, we miss out on much of the important details that God desires to share with us.
In classes that I have attended, and those I have taught, there have always been added assignments- experiences beyond the classroom that enrich and embolden our learning. The sacraments and other prayerful practices support our relationship with God. Being part of a class is an important aspect of being a student in a classroom. Through discussions, sharing, and the support of classmates our learning and experiences are deepened and shared. Without the community of believers that surround us in our faith communities, we are limited in the fullest aspects of God’s revelation in our lives.
Our Divine Teacher goes beyond the simple classroom analogy- God the Father provides the ultimate Teaching Assistant in Jesus. Through His humanity, Jesus is able to connect with us in our sufferings and pain, and yet in His perfect obedience, Jesus is able to teach us the greatest lesson- God’s abundant and everlasting love for us. Jesus’ lesson of sacrifice and selflessness reminds us that we are not alone, even in the darkest and most difficult experiences. Jesus also shows us the way in how to live out God’s ways in our lives. The Father also sends the Spirit to provide wisdom, courage, and hope to strengthen our belief and send us forth to share His message with others. Just like Phillip in the first reading, God’s Spirit is sending us out to be with others and share the Good News.
God is the most Perfect Teacher- always looking for new ways to share the news that we are being called to be one with Him. Through prayer, sacrament, community and daily living, God desires to teach us the way to find the love, peace, and mercy that flows from the Eternal Source of goodness. As students of our Triune God, we are invited to listen, believe, follow and then share all that God has done. This is our call, and with such a Great Teacher who provides the Word and the Spirit, hopefully we can learn our lessons well.
Loving Father, You teach us through Jesus and the grace of your Spirit in our lives. Help us to have open hearts and minds, so we can hear and believe. May our lives be witnesses to You and Your love. We pray this in Christ’s name.
AMEN.
—Marylynn Herchline