How to catechize about apostolic mission in the RCIA
The Concord Pastor reminds us on this feast day about the implications of Pentecost. He cites Economic Justice for All, which bears reading for all of us who are trying to be faithful to RCIA 75:4: ((Since the church’s life is apostolic, catechumens should also learn how to work actively with others to spread the Gospel and build up the church by the witness of their lives and by professing their faith. RCIA 75.4))
After Jesus had appeared to them and when they received the gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:1-12), they became apostles of the good news to the ends of the earth. In the face of poverty and persecution they transformed human lives and formed communities which became signs of the power and presence of God. Sharing in this same resurrection faith, contemporary followers of Christ can face the struggles and challenges that await those who bring the gospel vision to bear on our complex economic and social world. (Economic Justice for All, no. 47, US Conference of Catholic Bishops)
This, I think, points out the clear distinction between a classroom model of faith formation in the RCIA and a mystagogical or apprenticeship model. Our task is not merely to teach the catechumens about the apostolic mission of the church. Our task is to form followers of Christ who will transform lives and create communities that challenge the structures of endemic poverty and persecution in the world.
Check out the Concord Pastor’s entire post by clicking here.
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Another thing I wonder about when catechizing about apostolic mission is this. I know lots of us take the catechumens to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter at least once during their formation. But are we supplementing that with mystagogical reflection on how our votes, our letters, and our contributions to political campaigns influence those who have the power to change structures of oppression?
This is a link to an excellent Powerpoint presentation on Catholic Social teaching. The presentation does a good job (Ithink) of tying Scripture to the Teaching of the Church.
http://www.osjspm.org/files/officeforsocialjustice/files/cst.ppt
For that matter, the entire website is very well done!