Greetings to all as we move from the days of summer to the season of fall. For many, September is a busy time of new starts in schools, programs and various activities. I pray this is a blessed time for you.

So often, the Bible compels us to meditate on the meaning of faith. We might say that the Scriptures rest upon faith and remain inspired at every turn by the spirit of faith. Faith is an attitude of trust in the presence of God, an openness to what God will reveal, do and invite. It should be obvious that, in dealing with the infinite, all-powerful person who is God, we are never in control. One of the most fundamental statements of faith is this: your life is not about you. This is not your project. Rather, you are part of God’s design. To believe this and to act accordingly is to have faith. We are invited to surrender to the Lord’s presence within us, open to God’s will.

In that spirit, when we read the Scriptures, the surprising ways of God are amazing. Jesus’s choice of such unlikely people to be his emissaries — several fishermen, a tax collector, another described as a Zealot (a member of a political group some might call “terrorist”) — men who were slow to understand his mission and to act upon it. 

To this day, a fundamental truth is that Jesus doesn’t call the qualified to be his disciples, he qualifies those who are called. That is a great act of faith and encouragement to all of us, each Christian person and community, that the Lord’s Word and grace continue to form and shape us to share in his mission. We are called to proclaim God’s presence in our daily lives, our words and actions, our thoughts and our choices. 

We all share in the ministry of catechesis, which is about bringing the Gospel and the Church’s teachings to the world. 

Parents are truly the primary catechists of their children. They prepare the soil and plant the first seeds of faith. And, gratefully, there are many people in our parishes who offer themselves for the ministry of catechesis as they teach in the name of the Church, supporting the faith-work of parents. We pray for all who share in this special ministry of the Church:

God our Father, let your peace settle within the hearts of all mothers, fathers, guardians and parish catechists. Give them strength and wisdom as they care for their children. Give them strength during the times of greatest difficulty and help them recognize the little joys that are part of each day. May they grow in wisdom, understanding and grace. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is one with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Msgr. Larry M. Bakke is pastor for St. Clare of Assisi Parish and director of the Apostolate to the Handicapped for the Diocese of Madison.